Good News for Majority of Seized Vick Dogs
A team of certified applied animal behaviorists, led by the ASPCA, evaluated the 49 pit bulls seized in the Michael Vick case and determined that 48 had the potential to be rehabilitated. Yesterday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a motion that reflected the evaluation team’s report. Only one of the 49 dogs was deemed unfit for rehabilitation and recommended for euthanasia, which was ordered by Judge Henry E. Hudson.
So what will happen to those 48 dogs? Recommended placement options include
possible re-homing into appropriate foster homes for further observation/evaluation, rehabilitation as law enforcement dogs or placement in sanctuaries (which will need to meet U.S.D.A. facility standards). A federal judge will determine where the dogs end up.
Click here to read the full press release and learn more about the team involved in these evaluations.
So what will happen to those 48 dogs? Recommended placement options include
possible re-homing into appropriate foster homes for further observation/evaluation, rehabilitation as law enforcement dogs or placement in sanctuaries (which will need to meet U.S.D.A. facility standards). A federal judge will determine where the dogs end up.
Click here to read the full press release and learn more about the team involved in these evaluations.
Labels: Animal cruelty, News
posted by ASPCA at 11:41 AM PERMALINK
16 Comments:
I'm all for saving dogs where they can be saved, but this to me does just not seem like a good idea. Why are we trying to find homes for 48 proven fighters when there are so many socialized, well-behaved dogs around the country being euthanized for lack of shelter space and good homes. Once dogs have been trained to fight to the death, they are just not safe. I would not want one of these dogs in my neighborhood where Poncho (my dog) could be exposed to it. (Nor would I want my child around one of them). These dogs have been through enough. I know it is totally not their fault, but they've been bred and trained to be dangerous. Only those that were "good fighters" survived...we heard what happened to those that weren't aggressive enough. This seems like a PR trick that could have a really tragic outcome. And a huge liability. I think this is a really bad idea.
I am really angry about the decision of the ASPCA to "save" the MIchael Vick dogs. I do not understand why you would take 48 dangerous dogs and place them in homes where at least some of them are guaranteeed to attack children, dogs, cats and who knows what else.
There are thousands of good pets out there. What on earth are you thinking?
" I know its not totally their fault" in response it is not their fault at all. An animals behavior is almost always directly a result of the owner. GOD has given man dominion over animals and this world and look at what is being done to both. thanks
I am a lover of all animals, and I have 4 pit bulls myself. If they have the chance to be rehabilitated; and given a new chance on life, then I am all for it and so should everyone! Regardless of their past(which they did not choose!). I think if they are put in loving and controlled environments they will be fine.
I have to say that I am not completely surprised by the decision to place all but one of Vick’s dogs in homes or sanctuaries, since the last episode involving a pit bull and the A that I am familiar with is an employee of yours that turned her pit bull loose, one which she obtained from your shelter and “evaluated” by your experts, in Central Park and proceeded to attack a police horse and the policeman who was riding him. Did quite a bit of damage to the horse and the police officer, as I remember, which apparently you didn’t take seriously and gave your employee her dog back. I am on the Dangerous Dog Commission here in my city, and I can tell you, according to our local ordinances, that dog would have been euthanized within days. That behavior is considered dangerous, and he wouldn’t have been given a second chance to attack again.
I have watched one of your Animal Precinct shows wherein if a pit bull showed any aggression toward another animal, it was euthanized. What’s different about these dogs? Because they belong to a so-called professional? Because he’s black?
As a resident of Lafayette, Louisiana, I also have to point out that your decision will, no doubt, affect the trial of Floyd and Guy Boudreaux in Lafayette, Louisiana. As I am sure, you are familiar with this case and in full accordance and as directed by our state laws, the Louisiana SPCA and Laura Maloney, its Executive Director, immediately euthanized the dogs that were seized on their property in Youngsville. Your decision to place Michael Vick’s dogs detrimentally affects that decision they made in favor of euthanasia, and I can assure you that the defense attorneys for the Boudreauxs will use this information in court. Ms. Maloney will be viciously attacked on the stand for the LaSPCA decision, and that in part, will be your fault because of the decisions you have made. For all of the efforts she and her staff have put into this case, they do not deserve this. They all will be vilified, but particularly Ms. Maloney, whose life was threatened after this seizure. But not for the State Police and the Louisiana SPCA, the Boudreauxs would still be doing their evil deeds and I can only hope that as a resident of Lafayette, your actions will not alter the evidence in this case, but I fear it will.
I also hope that in the future you make decisions not based on what is “politically correct” for the sake ofthe almighty dollar, but for what is right for right’s sake.
Equoni..."I'm all for saving dogs where they can be saved." So who's to say that Vick's dogs cannot be saved...you?
Thanks ASPCA for at least giving them a chance.
did anyone objecting to the aspca rehoming these dogs pay attention to the line in the release that read no dogs are to be placed in private homes at this time?
Here's an idea!!
How about ASPCA attempt to request donations to purchase Michael Vick's Georgia estate and turn it into an animal shelter?? Particularly for animals that are considered "difficult" to place?? I'm sure if ASPCA put out the word, there would be enough animal lovers in the country to EASILY come up with the $4.85M asking price!!
I only wish that I had the resources and space to give a few of these dogs a forever home!!! We have an APBT who's grandfather was rescued from a life of fighting in Chicago, and we love and adore him. We believe in second chances, and I hope that the person saying these dogs are not safe never needs one!
it's great that the aspca saved them. all animals showed get a chance blamed by a human.
The people objecting to the re-homing of the Vick dogs because they are 'dangerous' obviously don't understand the difference between human and animal agression. They are absolutely different things, which is why your Jack Russel Terrier doesn't attack you but will go after a badger in nothing flat. If you don't think these dogs can be re-socialized, then I suggest you visit BAD RAP's web page and read about all the fighting dogs they have rescued and re-homed. Once a dog is out of that environment, and no longer encouraged to display aggression, most of them are happy never to fight another dog again in their lives.
Those who wish these dogs to simply be put down regardless amaze me. If they pass a temperament test then why destroy them? Just because of your prejudice against a breed?
By your logic should we just take every single criminal and execute them after a first offense? Afterall, you don't know what they'll do when they get out, if they'll "strike again." No, we give them a chance to be rehabilitated. Why is it so difficult to give the same chance to animals that didn't ask for what they received? My advice, watch Caesar Millan, the dog whisperer, sometime and see just how "fixable" dogs are.
I HATE MICHAEL VICK!!!!!!!!!!!
HE IS AN EVIL MAN,
I AM 13-TEEN YEARS OLD, BUT I HAVE 5 DOGS AND 2 CATS. I HAVE HAD MANY OTHERS. SOME OF WHICH, GOT KILLED BY A COYOTE! THEY ARE MEAN, BUT TO ME, MICHAEL VICK AND COYOTE'S ARE ONE AND THE SAME: ANIMAL KILLERS, & ABUSERS. I HAVE ONE QUESTION, "WHY?". IT IS AN EVIL THING TO KILL A ANIMAL, AND/BUT FOR MONEY,THATS WORSE. MY MOMMY SAYS "ITS A GOOD THING THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN, BECAUSE CHILDREN AND ANIMALS BOTH DEPEND ON THE PARENT/OWNER TO TAKE/CARE FOR THEM! I AM RESPONSIBLE, AND NICE, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMAL ABUSE, I CRY AND GET UPSET. DO THE PEOPLE GET JOY OF KILLING THE ANIMALS. I THINK THAT VICK SHOULD BE ABUSED LIKE THOSE POOR DOGS WERE, AND BE PUT TO THE DEATH PENALTY. ALTHOUGH I AM INCREDIBLY UPSET AND ANGERED WITH MICHEAL VICK, AM SO HAPPY THAT THOSE DOGS ARE GETTING THE LOVE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE ALWAYS HAD!, INSTEAD OF BEING TRAINED TO ABUSE THE OTHER DOGS IN "DOG FIGHTING" RINGS. I DO WANT ONE OF HIS DOGS, TO GIVE THEM LOVE AND EVERY BIT OF ATTENTION TO THAT DOG SHOULD HAVE BEEN GETTING ALL ALONG INSTEAD OF BEING ABUSED AND KILLED IN THE RINGS! BUT, ALREADY HAVE A LOT OF ANIMALS. THOSE DOGS DESERVE A GREAT ( NOT JUST GOOD ) AND LOVING FAMILY AND LIFE.
I AM NOT SORRY FOR SAYING THAT "MICHEAL VICK" SHOULD BE ABUSED LIKE THOSE DOGS WERE. BUT I AM SORRY TO THE DOGS THAT HAD TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THAT. IT WAS NOT A "RIGHT" THING TO DO!
ASHLEY NICOLE WRAY HOLT! 13 YEARS OLD, FROM RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
I LOVE THOSE DOGS, AND PLEASE TAKE CARE OF THEM!
I AM TOTALLY AGAINST MICHAEL VICK. I LOVE ALL ANIMALS. THEY DID NOT DESERVE THE ABUSE THAT THEY WENT THROUGH, "FOR MONEY". I AM SO HAPPY THAT THOSE DOGS ARE GETTING THE SECOND CHANCES THAT THEY ALL DESERVE. THEY REALLY ARE GOOD DOGS. IT IS NOT AT ALL THEIR FAULT, IT WAS THEIR STU*** OWNER, MICHAEL VICK!
ASHLEY H. OF RALEIGH NORTH CAROLINA
I AM 13 YEARS OLD, BUT I REALLY DO hate MICHAEL VICK
I think animal cruelty is wrong. I personally have saved two pitts from being fought anymore. These two dogs are the best thing that has ever happened to me and my family. Just because dogs have been fought doesn't mean that they can't be saved and rehabilitated. All you have to do is show a little love and care and let the animal know you are not there to hurt them. Let the animal know you are not going to push to get to know another animal too quickly. All you have to do is take your time and let the animal take its time. I have two dogs that are living proof that if you just show a little love and patience, anything is possible. And if you do a little bit of research on this website you will find that pitts were originally bred to be companions to small children. It is not the dog's fault for how it was trained. So why punish the dog if trained professionals say there is a chance for a good life. Who is anyone to say that these dogs don't deserve a second chance at a good life with an owner who will love and care for them correctly?? Maybe that is something we should all think about...
I am so glad that Michael Vick's dogs are being saved. Maybe at least now they will have some love and companionship in their lives after being tortured by that scum Vick. Why don't they have a right to find loving homes? It's not their fault that they were treated the way they were. I hate the fact that people cause train animals to attack and kill and then the animals pay the price. I say if it has been determined that they are adoptable, that's great. I hope they all find loving homes. Thanks ASPCA!
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