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Eliminating Misconceptions… Part III

February 11, 2008, 5:12PM MT

By Denise A LeBeau

Third in a series that chronicles how the other Michael Vick dogs are progressing.

Third in a series that chronicles how the other Michael Vick dogs are progressing.

By Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff

The pit bulls and Staffordshire terriers of Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels are the first fighting dogs who have been given the opportunity for evaluation, rescue, and rehabilitation. Best Friends received 22 of the dogs and the remaining 25 were awarded to seven separate animal welfare organizations. For months, nothing about the dogs could be disclosed; however, in late January the court mandated gag order was lifted.

This is the third in a series of three articles about their stories and how they are changing America’s perception of former fighting dogs.

Richmond Animal League:

While the Richmond Animal League was given possession of four of the dogs, two are anonymously being fostered out of state. The remaining two, Alf and Gracie, are well into their transition from Michael Vick’s kennels into a home environment. Both dogs have been attending training classes and it is anticipated that they will be tested within the next couple months for their Canine Good Citizen certification.

(Photo of Gracie provided courtesy of Susan Kelly of Richmond Animal League.)

According to Susan Kelly, Director of Development for the Richmond Animal League, “They are really adjusting well.” In class they have been exposed to other dogs, cats, men, women and children, and “there have been no aggressive tendencies whatsoever.” Alf, due to his outgoing personality, yet calm nature, seems to be well suited to continue his education and eventually become a therapy dog. “He’s just one of those dogs you just fall in love with.” Gracie, the more reserved of the two, fits in well to a home environment and enjoys hanging out with her foster family.

(Photo of Alf provided courtesy of Susan Kelly of Richmond Animal League.)

“Even just meeting these two, you can tell that it’s unfair to judge an entire breed or group of dogs, just by what you have heard on some sensationalist news,” states Kelly. “These dogs are really resilient and much like any companion animal, they just want to find a home. We’re happy to showcase them to the public for that reason, so they can see that it’s not a bad breed, just how they are treated.”

Georgia SPCA:

Three of the Vick dogs were awarded to the Georgia SPCA and according to the shelter’s Director, Joan Sammond, “So far they’ve been doing great.”

(Photo of Seven on a car ride with a representative of Atlanta Pit Bull Rescue provided courtesy of Julie Warnat of the Georgia SPCA.)

All three have been in foster homes since they arrived. Makevelli, formerly known as Big Fella is shy, but friendly. Sammond comments that “He wouldn’t hurt a flea.” Aretha has now been renamed Seven, as in Lucky Seven. She was one of the females used for breeding. Although those days are now over for her, she still carries scars, both physically and emotionally.

Charlie, now referred to as Chuck, is actually a Staffordshire terrier, as opposed to a pit bull. Despite his small stature, he was originally designated as one of the dogs suited initially for a sanctuary environment. However, he made a turnaround while at his first foster home and is now very sweet and thought to be highly adoptable. His current foster mom, Julie Warnat, says, “If I didn’t know what his background was, I wouldn’t have had any idea that he had come from a fighting background.”

(Photo of Chuck playing with Mazzy provided courtesy of Julie Warnat of the Georgia SPCA.)

Chuck has enjoyed the company of Warnat’s other dogs, particularly Mazzy, and even gets along with the household cats. She started his training by walking him around the neighborhood and quickly progressed to higher traffic areas like the local pet stores. He has adjusted well on his own and she has only had to provide minor direction to him. Warnat anticipates that once Chuck passes his Canine Good Citizen test, he will be available for adoption.

The dogs have been very high profile; however, a gag order prevented all the facilities who took in the Vick dogs from talking about them until the court proceedings were completed. The press was aware that the Georgia SPCA had three of the dogs, yet the dogs themselves were unable to be filmed. Sammond decided to take advantage of this unique opportunity. “We wanted to turn this bad situation into something positive,” says Sammond. “Their popularity helped bring awareness to the plight of the dogs in Georgia.”

Since dog fighting is an issue in Georgia, they decided to feature some of their shelter’s other pit bulls who were victims of abuse. The small facility normally adopts around 20-25 animals per week, but they hoped that the additional press would aid their cause. One of their highlighted dogs was Roxie, a pit bull whose ears had been cut off. Thanks to the media attention, the shelter’s adoptions skyrocketed and she, along with 29 others animals, found new homes in a four day period. In addition, the shelter was overwhelmed with donations of toys, bedding and supplies for the animals, and even obtained some new volunteers.

(Photo of Julie Warnat holding Chuck at a January press conference provided courtesy of Julie Warnat of the Georgia SPCA.)

The Vick dogs also provided an opportunity for the shelter to publicize the Georgia Dog Fighting Act, currently up for review in the 2008 legislative session. In addition to strengthening the current law, the bill would close existing loopholes, punish spectators and others involved in dog fights, and offer the ability to prohibit offenders from possessing dogs during the time of their sentence. The fact that the shelter had the three Vick dogs allowed them to bring media attention to the general public about this important legislation. With their help, along with many others, the Georgia House of Representatives recently passed H.B. 301. However, work is still necessary to push the Georgia Senate to vote in favor of S.B. 16 and enact this bill into law.

(Photo of Luke Wilkins holding Chuck provided courtesy of Luke Wilkins of Man’s Best Friend.)

Now that Chuck, Makevelli, and Seven have become successful “spokes-dogs,” they have begun their next step on the road to new homes. Thanks to Man’s Best Friend in Woodstock, Georgia, the trio is currently receiving two weeks of on-site boarding and training. The business is also offering unlimited future training to the dogs’ foster parents and to their eventual families. This service would normally cost $1,500 per dog; however, they are providing this assistance at no charge.

According to Luke Wilkins, the Store Manager for Man’s Best Friend, “They are really all doing great. We want to make sure these dogs lead happy lives.” Though all three dogs are receiving training through verbal and physical praise, each of the dogs is at a different level, so they all receive individualized guidance.

To help with socialization, Makevelli has taken to helping greet people at the reception desk. Each person and dog coming into the facility interacts with him, to help him overcome his shyness with strangers. “We’re trying to open his eyes, to show him no one is going to hurt him any more,” comments Wilkins. “He’s come a long way already by being up front and getting used to new people every day.”

(“May I help you?” Photo of Makevelli at the reception desk provided courtesy of Luke Wilkins of Man’s Best Friend.)

Seven is the only one who has shown some mild aggression toward other dogs, although not people. She is not only headstrong, but also very physically powerful. In fact, she may be the strongest dog that Wilkins has ever worked with. He still has faith that she can be rehabilitated and says, “She’s got such a good heart. It’s amazing that dog has been through so much and can still have this love for humans.”

(Photo of Seven with Amanda Freeman provided courtesy of Luke Wilkins of Man’s Best Friend.)

Chuck is the furthest along of all three dogs. While the trainers start their work with the dogs free from distractions, Chuck already has progressed beyond that point. Wilkins is confident that he will be ready to undergo the Canine Good Citizen test upon the completion of his training.

“The whole thing with Michael Vick is a tragedy,” Wilkins notes. “It’s been able to open people’s eyes on what is going on out there with dog fighting. We’re happy to do our part to try to help these dogs. We want to do whatever it takes to get these dogs rehabilitated. We’re just happy to be a part of it.”

Once the dogs’ formal training is complete, the Georgia SPCA plans a demonstration for the public and media to show how far the dogs have advanced.

The future:
Everyone would like to see the day when all the dogs are adopted into loving homes, though only time will tell. They are still adjusting to everyday life experiences and some are still learning to trust. All are undergoing the training necessary to pass the Canine Good Citizen test, in the hope that they can be eligible for adoption after only three months in their foster homes.

With their fighting past over, their futures are now open to lives full of companionship and love. Several have shown an aptitude for becoming therapy dogs and one is already registered and spreading joy to patients on a regular basis.

While they were originally misunderstood, these resilient dogs have become ambassadors for their breed and have consistently been breaking stereotypes. They provide hope that the public’s view is able to change, so that dogs forced to fight through no fault of their own, can be given the same opportunities as other homeless animals. May these special dogs be the dawn of a new era of compassion.

(Photo of Chuck and Makevelli provided courtesy of Julie Warnat of the Georgia SPCA.)

For more information:
• Eliminating Misconceptions and Becoming Canine Good Citizens – Part I
• Eliminating Misconceptions… Part II
• Stop Breed Specific Legislation Campaign
• Canine Good Citizen
• Association of Pet Dog Trainers
• Therapy Dog
• End Georgia Dog Fighting
• Man’s Best Friend

How you can help:
• With all of the media attention these Michael Vick dogs have received, many people have expressed interest in adopting them. However, there are many other pit bulls, not famous but just as wonderful and deserving, that also need forever homes. If you are interested in providing a home for a bully breed, please adopt a homeless dog from a local rescue organization.
• Support the lifesaving efforts of the organizations which were given custody of the other Michael Vick dogs.

Richmond Animal League
11401 International Drive
Richmond, Virginia 23236
Phone: 804-379-0046

Georgia SPCA
1175 Hwy 23 Suite 109
Suwanee, Georgia 30024
Phone: 678-765-2726

• Recycled Love, Inc.
• Animal Rescue of Tidewater (A.R.T.)
• Our Pack, Inc. (Pit Bull Advocates for Compassion and Kindness)
• SPCA for Monterey County
• BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls)

Lead photo shows Chuck celebrating Christmas with Julie Warnat. Photo provided courtesy of Julie Warnat of the Georgia SPCA.

Comments

Posted February 14, 2008, 10:49AM by bear1

I am ashamed to have to admit I was one of the many people who were initially afraid of Pit Bulls -not because of any first hand experiences with them but rather because of all the negative media I have heard about them. I am happy to announce, I was WRONG, WRONG WRONG!!!!!!! I have never been so happy to say how WRONG I was in my misconception about this breed.
These dogs are amazing and thier story has helped me to understand the breed for what it is...loyal and loving ....just like all other dogs.
I would not hesitate to have a pit bull in my home now because of the "education" I have received from the victory dogs. Thank you for opening my eyes to the ignorance I once held.
My heart skips a beat every time I read about the remarkable turn around these precious babies have made. All they want is to be loved and to love you back.
It is shameful to know that I have fellow human beings that would abuse and fight these dogs - trying to turn them into something they are not and using thier loyalty and devotion against them.

Thank you Best Friends and everyone else who has made a difference in these dogs' lives.

Posted February 11, 2008, 5:44PM by bogiedew

It is so wonderful knowing these dogs are getting the love and attention they deserve.
Man's Best Friend is right down the street from my house! I will have to beep and wave next time I drive by.

Posted February 11, 2008, 9:29PM by rmlamasney25

Aren't they beautiful! And showing their true nature, gentle and loyal and loving. Thank you to all involved for all you have done to give them a new chance at life. What a travesty if they had been destroyed....

Posted February 12, 2008, 10:37AM by cattees

Schnookieheads!

Posted September 23, 2008, 9:40AM by kathy_g

Ok, I have happy tears here...being a pitbull advocate and guardian, I can't tell you how happy these testimonies of the true hearts of these dogs makes me. They're so highly abused and used, not just due to their sheer strength, but also because they would literally do anything their owner wanted of them to gain approval-they are that devoted and loyal. How terribly sad so many people abuse such loyalty.

Posted February 11, 2008, 6:23PM by pattycatty

I just fell in love 4 times. No......wait, wait. There were five pictures. Okay I just fell hard 5 times.

Posted February 11, 2008, 6:57PM by sharkster

I wish there was a way for these stories to stay in the major news papers so people will see how well these dogs are doing and to show that pit bulls can live amoung the general public and that foremer fighting or bait dogs can be rehabilitated.

Posted February 11, 2008, 10:7PM by jennifer

Jennifer - Thanks so much for continuing to write about these great dogs. I had the opportunity to meet the 22 we have at Best Friends today, and they are just the greatest! Snuzzlebunnies. Or, I guess it should be snuzzlepitties.

Posted July 09, 2008, 3:15PM by jhayes

The Washington Post just did a front page feature on the former Michael Vick dogs and the organziations that took them in.

Be sure to check out the audio slideshows.

Posted July 11, 2008, 7:25AM by bogiedew

The pictures in that article were wonderful!!

Posted February 12, 2008, 11:12PM by marla

Thank you for keeping us updated. LOVE THE PICTURES