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SCRAPS Pit Bulls Need Another Miracle

May 12, 2008, 12:17PM MT

By Denise A LeBeau

Update - dowry started to help dogs get placement

Update - dowry started to help dogs get placement

The Great 8 have their 8 bags packed and are ready to go. They are ready to rock and roll! Not only that, there is one additional bag that will be travelling with them. Bag number 9 contains their dowry which will be for their care at their future appropriate sanctuary. These dogs are travelling with money!

To date, there has been $6,060.00 pledged. But where will the Great 8's future home be? We are working on that diligently as time is of the essence. We have some potential leads for their placement that we are following up on.

If anyone would like to help the Great 8 by either pledging money towards their dowry or by letting us know of an appropriate sanctuary for them please contact Carmel Travis, Advocate for the Great 8 at (509)330-1136 or at carmel@completebbs.com

The Background Story
We live in a strange world these days, where living, breathing four-legged furry beings can be held as ‘evidence’ in cases of felony dog fighting. That’s where this story begins for Callie, Chewy, Fatty, Rita, Zeta, Gorda and the puppies Justice and Hope, eight pit bulls who were confiscated in Spokane, WA from people who planned to have them live and die in the nether world of dog fighting rings.

It took a year to the day to get their abusers sentenced to jail time with each serving Eight months: a month for each dog. This was the very first conviction for animal fighting in Washington State, making the dogs and SCRAPS (the Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service), the organization that took them in, heroes in the animal welfare movement.

SCRAPS is a progressive municipal animal care facility with dog trainers and an animal behaviorist on staff. They do their best to re-home as many animals as they possibly can despite the high volume of animals they receive, and their limited resources.

Even with the victory of the conviction, the sad reality is that the lives of the Great Eight are now in jeopardy because they are dog aggressive as a result of being forced to fight (luckily the 2 puppies, Justice and Hope were saved before they’d been used in this way).

During their time at SCRAPS, the dogs have experienced a 360 degree turn around in their lives as they were introduced to what it means to be loved, cared for and treated humanely. The staff made sure the dogs had plenty of exercise, time with people, stimulation and special treats. They stretched out and sighed with delight when they were each given Kuranda beds: imagine them sleeping four paws in the air, tongues lolling out, snoring softly... . Instead of exhibiting the stress that kenneled pit bulls are vulnerable to, these guys just got happier and more grateful with each passing day. They are also feeling safe enough to show their personalities.

Rita a.k.a. the ‘Meter Maid’ for example tilts her wonderful head and gives an ear splitting grin as she paws her kennel waiting to be petted (put the change in the meter!). Zeta won’t go out in the morning without first getting a head pat. When shy Chewy was introduced to the sofa, he became a professional couch potato!. You see him here snuggled in with his friend Cindy.

Nancy Hill, SCRAPS director, made a major commitment of resources and space to the Great Eight even though she knew it meant that other animals wouldn’t have the chance for the life that she envisions for these pit bulls. She saw their willingness to begin to let go of their past and trust the goodness of people despite their initial experiences with our kind.

SCRAPS has also been working to find rescues or sanctuary placements for the dogs for the past year and asked the help of the Best Friends because they won’t be able to keep the dogs indefinitely due to the strain on their resources. These dogs have been such good citizens! Through them, criminals were brought to justice. We know from our experience with the ‘Vicktory Dogs’ the twenty-three fighting pit bulls that we took after Michael Vick was convicted, that dogs like these have so much more to offer: they deserve the chance to have the real dog life that was taken away from them by dog fighters.

For this to happen, the Great Eight, like the Vicktory dogs need time and consistent care and training. Here at Best Friends, it’s not only that we’re teaching the Vicktory Dogs, we’re learning from them. They and dogs like the Great Eight hold the keys to discovering how we can rehabilitate dogs forced to fight.

How You Can Help
We’re broadcasting their story throughout the United States because the dogs can’t speak for themselves. You can help by being their spokesperson and sending this link to rescues and sanctuaries you know of who may be able to take some of the dogs.

The costs of maintaining the Eight dogs for a year has been staggering for SCRAPS. If you’d like to help them defray the expense of saving the Great Eight you can go to the SCRAPS donation link can be found on their website.

If you are a shelter or rescue and want more information on the dogs please contact: Patricia Simonet at 509-477-2752.

If you are an individual and would like to adopt a pet from SCRAPS, please click here.

by Medha Isaacs, Best Friends staff
images courtesy of SCRAPS

Comments

Posted May 28, 2008, 10:30PM by marla

I guess best friends can't help"\????

Posted May 20, 2008, 7:59PM by Barbara_luvs_furryfolk

I live in Spokane, and I clicked on a link to contact SCRAPS. I asked how I can help with the pit bulls rescued from dogfighting. I would like to donate toward their care, and if possible, I would like to be able to help with their socialization. I included my email address, and I have not heard back from them. I sent these messages on either Thursday or Friday of last week, and it is now late afternoon on Tuesday. I will try again, but I am disappointed that there has been no response to a request to learn specifically how I can help.

Posted May 21, 2008, 2:47AM by levi_

MESSAGE for BARBARA: Yes, help is still needed!

Please resend your original email to carmel@completebbs.com and include your telephone number. Someone will contact you ASAP.

Thanks!
Carmel

Posted May 27, 2008, 3:27AM by levi_

Pit Bull Rescue Central is an excellent resource.

Posted May 29, 2008, 2:16AM by levi_

Actually, Best Friends has been a huge help by helping spread the word about the Great 8. Unfortunately, they have "no room at the inn" at this time. They already have 100 dogs who cannot share living quarters with other dogs.

Posted May 29, 2008, 7:46PM by levi_

That is a good question. We have not focused on searching for appropriate boarding kennels. Do you think if a good portion of the money was used for boarding that there would be less interest from appropriate sanctuaries?

Posted May 30, 2008, 3:26PM by levi_

Reply to Cathie's question about boarding the dogs: SCRAPS Director Nancy Hill is the best person to ask if boarding is a possibility.

Posted May 12, 2008, 8:12PM by jbell

The defendants were ordered to pay some restitution, but when, or if that ever happens remains to be seen. There was no money seized.

Posted May 13, 2008, 2:49PM by EmilyS

good for them!

But if they want to have more success adopting out animals, they need to be open at times people can easily go to the shelter

"We are open to the public Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 10AM-5:30PM and Wednesday & Saturday Noon-4:30PM"

ONE afternoon for working people? That just doesn't cut it.

It's one of Winograd's BIG issues in his vision for building a no kill community.

Posted May 14, 2008, 8:14PM by HeartofNoah

I wish that dog lovers everywhere would stop before breeding and think of all the pups that are neglected and don't have someone to love. New puppies are cute, but puppy mills and overbreeding need to stop. Good for you and the work you are doing for these dogs!

Posted May 12, 2008, 3:25PM by bicycleboy

Other than the jail sentences, where any monies seized or fines handed down which can be used to offset the costs of the adult?

Posted May 17, 2008, 11:27AM by PitBullKittyBunch

With the raising problems of placing pit bulls and AmStaff babies please advise the to comtact a rescue and ask them to help with relocating thier baby. Their are many rescues and fosters out here trying to save and rescue these wonderful babies.. In the North part of California their is a place workinmg hard to become a 501c3 and will be able to do more once they get it.. I know of many people that foster in the mid and Northern part of CA that do wonderuos work... I am in the mid west and I get babies from the south east and take them in from shelters to save.. We are here just look on the internet and on MySpace in the Pit Bull Groups...

Posted May 18, 2008, 5:35PM by levi_

UPDATE about the Great 8!!! Read more about these cutie pies in today's Spokesman Review at www.spokesmanreview.com's story titled "Time is Running Out for Seized Pit Bulls". However, please note the main picture in the article is somewhat misleading. It shows one of the dogs standing by a sign on the kennel door that reads, "Danger - This Dog Bites". None of the dogs were admitted to SCRAPS for biting people, nor have any bit shelter employees this past year. The dogs apparantly have been housed in the "bite section" simply because it is the space available for long term residents at the shelter.

HOW YOU CAN HELP TODAY:

PLEASE forward the Spokesman Review article about the Great 8 to appropriate rescue groups. Please BE SURE to CLARIFY what is mentioned in the preceding paragraph regarding the sign on the kennel door.

Thank you for helping the Great 8!

Posted May 27, 2008, 3:27AM by levi_

PLEASE HELP ASAP! The Great 8 are running out of time at life. However, they are now travelling with money! They have a $6,060.00 dowry to go with them to an appropriate sanctuary. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

Are their any dog lovers who would pledge money towards a sanctuary who might offer a home to the Great 8?

Are there any appropriate rescues who would home the Great 8 knowing they will be travelling their way with money... $6,060.00 to start with, and possibly more donations coming in?

Please contact Carmel Travis immediately at carmel@completebbs.com or else by phone at 509-330-1136 ASAP if you can help.

Thank you.

Carmel Travis :)
Advocate for the Great 8

(509)330-1136

Posted May 12, 2008, 10:37PM by levi_

SOS for Chewy!!! Chewy, who is pictured above with SCRAPS dog whisperer, Cindy Taskila, is the most special needs member of the Great 8. Sherry Woodard of Best Friends watched a 20 minute CD of Shy Guy Chewy. She said he needs a very kind and very patient home because of his shyness. The Great 8 are ALL wonderful dogs, but Chewy needs the most help. He is the Poster Dog of the Great 8! Is it possible there are any members who can help direct him to an appropriate sanctuary where he will have a chance at a life he deserves?

Posted May 12, 2008, 11:1PM by levi_

SOS for the Great 8! To learn more about how the Great 8 ended up in their sad situation, please google "Spokane, WA felony dog fighting" where it mentions the "future of animals still in doubt". Please help these nice dogs by contacting appropriate rescue sanctuaries for a chance at a life they all deserve.

Posted May 14, 2008, 10:46AM by Gill

Why do rescue organisations such as Detroit /Phoenix Humane Societies (Animal Cops shows) always put down rescued pit bulls? I'm sure with a little work, most could be re-homed.

Posted May 29, 2008, 5:32PM by Cathie

Is there a possibility of using the money to board the dogs while you search for placement?

Posted May 16, 2008, 9:10PM by Barbarajevans

As a volunteer at my local Humane Society Pet Adoption Center I see first hand the many Pit Bulls whose owners are wanting to relinquish them. It breaks my heart to have to turn them away but out Board policy is no Pit/AmStaff mixes. So. Cal. is having a serious problem finding resources for these wonderful dogs, especially now with so many people losing their homes and needing to place the pets. If anyone knows of a rescue that will accept these babies, PLEASE let me know.

Posted May 18, 2008, 4:53PM by levi_

Pitbullkittybunch: Is there a rescue group on the internet or My Space you can recommend? Thanks on behalf of the Great 8!

carmel@completebbs.com

Posted May 30, 2008, 3:24PM by levi_

Wonderful news everyone! Chewie is being placed at Stray Recue of St. Louis with Randy Grim and Jennie Foster. Chewie will soon be looking at SCRAPS and Spokane in a rear-view mirror!

However, we still need placement for the remaining 7... "Heaven's 7". Does anyone know of any appropriate rescues between Washington state and Missouri?

Please call Carmel @ (509)330-1136 if you know someone who can help. :)

Posted June 03, 2008, 9:21PM by levi_

We are hopefully getting closer to saving the rest of the gang and hope to know more in the next day. I don't want to say too much quite yet for fear it will jinx their chances. Thank you for asking.

Stay tuned!

Posted May 30, 2008, 11:41AM by Cathie

I don't know. However, if their time has run out, a place hasn't been found and there is money available, at least it would give them a bit more time for that miracle. My thoughts and heart are with you and the dogs.

Posted June 03, 2008, 8:53PM by Lori_IN

Could you please update us on the remaining "Heaven's 7"? Please tell us someone was able to help the poor babies?

Posted June 07, 2008, 1:49PM by levi_

UPDATE: Stray Rescue of St. Louis has agreed to take all of the Great 8!!! We are now working on transportation options - searching for the best means to get them there safely. Part of this includes researching cost to transport because of current high fuel prices.

HOW YOU CAN HELP: Please call Carmel Travis at (509)330-1136.

Stay tuned.

Posted June 12, 2008, 7:13PM by bogiedew

Yipppeee!!! Wonderful news!

Posted June 12, 2008, 7:16PM by carrie_fosters

This is such wonderful news! Thanks to all involved for never giving up on these guys!

Posted June 07, 2008, 7:20PM by Cathie

Excellent news!!!!!

Posted June 12, 2008, 6:50PM by levi_

The Great 8 have packed their bags and are ready to roll! They've bought their tickets and are waiting to hop on Best Friends Freedom Truck next week. These lucky dogs will soon be on their way to their next adventure in life. Sherry and Jeff of Best Friends will personally escort the Great 8 to Stray Rescue of St. Louis. The Great 8 don't know it yet, but they already have friends in St. Louis looking forward to meeting them. Hooray for the Great 8! Hooray for all who cared enough to help make a promising future for them possible.

Stay tuned...

Posted June 18, 2008, 4:22AM by levi_

Hooray for the Great 8! Stray Rescue of St. Louis here they come! Today they will leave their home of 14 months viewing SCRAPS and Spokane in the rear view mirror. Friends at SCRAPS have been busy getting these nice pooches all dolled up with baths and getting veterinary checks for health certificates for their walking papers to freedom this week.

Sherry and Jeff of Best Friends are due to arrive at SCRAPS this morning driving the Best Friends Freedom Express, a climate controlled van to get these nice dogs to safety. There will be a Bon Voyage party and media event held at SCRAPS at 11:30 a.m. Soon after they will be on their way to a chance at life which many thought would never be possible.

Saving the Great 8 has truly been a grassroots effort by many.

They were victims of a crime.

"They had no voice. They deserved a chance. They live today".

Thank you.

Carmel
A Friend of the Great 8