Vick's fighting dogs get second chance at life

She wags her tail and gives kisses to anyone who greets her. But the deep scars on her face are permanent reminders of her difficult and violent past.

Ellen is one of the 47 pit bulls seized from an illegal dog fighting ring on property owned by disgraced NFL quarterback Michael Vick.

The dogs were bred to fight to the death. Of course, if trained properly they can be gentle loyal pets.

Twenty-two of the pit bulls now reside at sanctuary at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the mountain town of Kanab, Utah. The 25 other dogs have been placed at rehabilitation shelters across the country.

All of them are lucky to be alive.

The Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wanted the dogs euthanized. But rescue operations won their fight to give these animals a second chance at life.

"There's a belief by a lot of people that these dogs cannot be rehabilitated," said the facility's veterinarian, Dr. Frank McMillan. "It's true that they can't all be [rehabilitated], but we're finding out here and elsewhere, that they can and they become very nice pets." Video Watch how the dogs are learning to interact with people »

The dogs have only been at the shelter about a month and their caregivers have already seen signs of progress.

"I was surprised at how many were shy. There were quite a few that were under socialized and pretty shut down," said Michelle Besmehn, who oversees the dogs at the sanctuary.

"I've been really pleased at how quickly they're coming around. It's actually been fun to see personalities are starting to show. "

One of the most affectionate and lovable dogs at the shelter is Lucas -- Vick's champion fighter.

Shelter staff believes the scarred, brown 65-pound pit bull won praise and special treatment for winning fights and money, perhaps hundreds of thousands of dollars for Vick and his associates.

Despite his good nature, a court ruled that Lucas can never leave the sanctuary because of his violent past.

Dogs that didn't fight well were beaten, drowned, shot and even electrocuted by Vick and his associates, according to court records.

Thought it's nearly impossible to know the extent of the emotional and physical abuse these dogs endured, in some cases it's apparent.

One dog, Georgia, had all 42 of her teeth pulled. Caregivers believe it was to prevent her from attacking male dogs during forced breeding.

"We don't know who did it. We assume it's because she was such a valuable breeding dog," McMillian said. "Very often females will not accept males in breeding and will attack."

The National Geographic Channel will profile Georgia and three of the other pit bulls as part of an ongoing television series, "Dogtown," which follows the rehabilitation and resocialization of the worst cases.

The hope is that six months from now, some of the dogs will become normal, lovable pets that are safe enough to adopt.

Even if they never get adopted, the dogs will always have a home at Best Friends, which doesn't euthanize for behavioral reasons.


http://edition.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/vick.dogs.rehab/index.html

Its grate to see these dogs get another chance god knows they deserve it. This is why our laws needs to change to protect the pit bull breed who are badly treated by individuals who use them as gambling tools ,the easy way out is to have the dog pts,the GAA star who was caught in the same case similar to this1 should have been made an example of as children and fans look up to him and also the legislation goes back as far as 1911 it defiantly needs to be reviewed, but some how when they show these programs they make these dogs out to be some sort of machines, untrustworthy and dangerous when the pit bull is made of the same flash and bone as any other breed who wouldn't fight to the death if they had no choice?? in all the programs ive seen where they highlight this horrible issue never once has a dog been aggressive to a human infarct they are so glad to see 1 still wagging there tail after been true such horrific ordeal but again that's our breed for you.. people need to research the other side of this breed like the way the help in search and rescue, therapy dogs and so on rather than researching the side that is demanded of them by so called "dog man" and criminals that's the part of this breed that should be highlighted maybe then this breed would be attracted by a much more responsible owner audience instead of been portrayed in this unfair manner as i think is attracted and encouraged to criminality..

That was heartening to read, that these dogs are getting a second chance at life.

As for Gerard Cavlan - it's an absolute disgrace that he didn't end up in prison for what he was involved in.

yes its sickening my blood boil's click on the link and you will see hellen the pit bulls photo she is gorgeous, this country needs to be educated about this breed that was once loved and respected by a nation of people not even a century ago look at the way this breed has been dragged down by the human breed but humans would rather blame a lower being such as a dog the to recognize the shire ignorance and disgrace of mankind,,

ah god love her ' it breaks my heart to think of whats happening that we dont see xx all we can do is keep up the fight to save them xx

The Humane Society of the United States and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wanted the dogs euthanized. But rescue operations won their fight to give these animals a second chance at life.

you will all think im mad when i say this but here goes have we got a chance to do this but if we had we would need a place to put these dogs does any1 think it would be possible we could get this out in the open and raise money from the public all we need is about 500.000 to get land up and running maybe less it sounds impossible but if everybody gave a euro or 2 in a few months or so i reckon we could raise it if we put a program together get it out there in the open and appeal for donations for a sanctuary to be open its hard work but i have no problem doing most of it like getting the ball rolling get an account opened and once a mounth we could all go fundraiser you would be amazed at what could come out of it in time???


i told you all you would think im mad but nothing is impossible is it??

I think it is a great idea but there are few things that need to change in this country before we can do that. As far as I know seized dogs are brought to the pound and there are not many pounds in Ireland that will let pitbulls out. This needs to change first otherwise we will have a shelter but no dogs.

if anyone can do it you can ! xx

haha Lil ' you,ll have people copying and pasteing your comments and feeling threathend by you ....

Doggymad wrote:haha Lil ' you,ll have people copying and pasteing your comments and feeling threathend by you ....

I wonder why?? all we are doing is our best to help these dogs and if people cant see that well what in the world are they doing in rescue???
we just have to plod along and keep picking at these issues regardless of people who have a vendetta agents these breeds..

exactly xx