In April 2007, animal control officials busted a Spokane, Washington-based dogfighting operation, resulting in the freedom of eight plucky pit bulls. The Great Eight, as they came to be known, were held as evidence in a case leading to the first felony dogfighting convictions in the state of Washington. After the trial concluded in April 2008, the patient pits, cared for by the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS), were released for rehabilitation and adoption.
Moved by the dogs’ story, real estate agent Carmel Travis of Pullman decided to employ her excellent business skills to raise funds and media support for these neglected innocents. With a looming summer deadline, she worked overtime to find a sanctuary to care for the dogs. Her first call was Best Friends Animal Society, where she received contacts in the national rescue community as well as support from Best Friends’ Missouri-based network. Travis’ tenacity was rewarded, when Stray Rescue, a St. Louis adoption center that specializes in pit bulls and other bully breeds, embraced the Eight with open arms.
On June 18, 2008, Callie, Chewy, Fatty, Rita, Zeta, Gorda, and two puppies named Justice and Hope hopped aboard the “Freedom Train,” a temperature-controlled van operated by Best Friends, and made their way cross-country from Spokane to St. Louis.
When the pups arrived in St. Louis, “no words came, just emotions,” says Best Friends’ Troy Lea. “There’s a feeling of gratitude and of being so proud of our members and the organizations involved. This is the ultimate feeling of teamwork.”
Thanks to the instrumental efforts of Travis and so many others, the Great Eight are thriving in their new digs, enjoying the company of other dogs and learning to love to be loved.
“They will continue to blossom and will be very happy members of new families soon,” says Tara Schaper, a Stray Rescue behaviorist who’s working with the dogs. “Every single one of them deserves a chance!”
Spokane community hero Carmel Travis, far left, poses with Fatty, one of the Great Eight, before he departs for St. Louis, MO. Travis is joined by Sherry Woodard of Best Friends Animal Society, far right, and Cindy Taskila of SCRAPS; both organizations were instrumental in the care and transportation of the eight pit bulls, who were rescued from a dogfighting ring in April 2007.