Training Agressive Dogs-Part 2 Michael Vick

Continued from Yesterday’s Blog:

Surprisingly PETA called for the dogs to be put down stating that due to the cruelty they had endured, they could never be rehabilitated back to a normal life. The Humane Society also agreed with terminating the Vick dogs to end their suffering and miserable lives.

Everyone assumed the dogs would be killed at some point, and that they would not be accepted by society. The fact that these dogs belonged to a great football celebrity would not save them from their demise to a doomed fate.

But something happened and people became upset when they heard the plight of these dogs. A  massive campaign began to form to save the dogs, letters poured into Judge Henry Hudson who was to decide Vick’s punishment and what to do with the dogs. He ordered an assessment and Vick was ordered to pay close to one million dollars for the care of the dogs who were the ultimate victims of this tragedy.

The 49 dogs were finally let out of their cages and given toys to play with and more food. They became increasingly calmer and were allowed play time with other dogs. Their caregivers began to give them better food and treats and the dogs began to interact with  people for the first time. The dogs showed no aggression whatsoever and it surprised everyone that they did not attack each other or any humans.

After the court order was put in place, the dogs were taken in by a place called Best Friends Animal Society in Utah which is a 33,000 acre sanctuary for animals. Their behavior was monitored and as they progressed through more interaction with people  some went to foster care homes. Many people came to visit them and wanted to adopt and while others were placed in temporary foster homes and given the love and care these animals so deserved.

All the dogs were Pit Bulls which is a breed that is known for being aggressive and even though these dogs suffered tremendous cruelty they become just happy normal dogs. By enduring the beatings and brutally that was used on Moonlight Road to induced these dogs to fight they carried on as if nothing happened. Some however did not heal and will remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives.

It took almost 2 years for Sweet Jasmine, an amber colored dog who would not come near a human hand without pulling away, to ever feel safe again. She eventually did but it took a very long time to trust again.

Sweet Jasmine won the trust of humans again through meeting  a special woman by the name of  Catalina Stirling who actually climbed into her kennel to comfort Jasmine for long periods of time.  Ernie is in foster care with Andy and Sasha Gibbs who live in the San Francisco area and is getting used to a better life.

Donna Reynolds is finding a home for Grace who has a white body and a black patch of fur around her right eye that gives her a very sweet face.

Another dog named Zippy is coming along but pees on the floor in fear when there is a visitor but Zippy has shown no aggression towards a 9 year old girl who plays with her daily. The Hernandez family has adopted Zippy who shows affection towards the family and is doing fine now. Leo is in Los Gatos California and is a certified therapy dog who spends time with cancer patients and troubled teenagers.

Audie a black pit bull has been adopted by Linda Chwistek and her husband.  Sweet Pea is in the hands of Michael Wilson who  has ensured that she has regular visits with her buddy Jasmine.

Uba was adopted by Dee Little and shares a big house with a cat named William. Teddles won the heart of her new owner Cindy Houser and loves the hands on hugs and touching as well as the belly scratches she now receives from Cindy. Frodo who resembles a hobbit now has a chance at life in her permanent home with Ms. Ramirez.

Johnny Rotten had never lived in a house before so he did not know how to climb a staircase and flushing a toilet scared him. He was taken in by a volunteer who owned another pit bull named Lily. His name is now changed to Johnny Justice and he has graduated from his training classes. Once a month he sits patiently while listening to children who learn reading skills that are afraid to read out loud.

Six of the dogs have been awarded Canine Good Citizens certificates issued by the American Kennel Club for dogs who have to pass a series of 10 tests. One of the tests is to pass through a crowd and reacting to sudden sounds and sights which must have been difficult for them. But they all passed the tests all six of the Michael Vick Dogs are heros now.

Then there is Lukas who will never leave the sanctuary because he is still a fighter who cannot be rehabilitated enough to be adopted by a family.  In any regard their lives are now more hopeful that they will never again suffer the abuses they were subjected to at the hands of very cruel person.

Although some dogs can find their way back from tremendous cruelty by human beings, they will never be the same and they are now living with the scars of the past.  Jasmine kissed Catalina’s face on the front porch of her home and is a happy and a lucky dog.

Quote: “The greatness of a civilization can be judged by the way it treats its animals”.

TAGS: Michael Vick’s Dogs, Dog Rehabilitation, Training Aggressive Dogs, Bad Newz, Fight Dogs, ASPCA, PETA,  Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Michael Vick.

One of Michael Vick's Wounded Dogs

Dog Fighting is a Barbaric Act of the Lowest Form of Cruelty

Serious Injuries to Dogs at Michael Vick's Camp for Dog Fighting