Micheal Vick
No-one will ever forget the sickening graphic images of the abuse suffered by dogs from Micheal Vick's dog fighting operation equally it's even harder to forget the story of the little red dog slammed into the ground repeatedly after losing a fight.....
Anti Pit Bull activists regularly claim that dogs used in dog fighting rings and then seized should be put down immediately as it's impossible to rehabilitate them which has been proven to be false by Micheal Vick's Ex dogs now fondly referred to as the Viktory Dogs"
There's a fabulous movie available which tells the story of the journey of the dogs all now having successfully moved on with their lives.....
"The Champions" Trailer.........
The official synopsis reads,
“‘The Champions’ is an inspirational story about the pit-bulls rescued from the brutal fighting ring of Michael Vick, and those who risked it all to save them, despite pressure from PETA and The Humane Society to euthanize the dogs.
A story about second-chances, redemption and hope, this documentary takes us on a journey about prejudice, the power of resilience and the significance of human/animal relationships.”
Source..... indiewire.com
"The Lost Dogs" By Jim Gorant.....
The bestselling story of survival and our powerful bond with man's best friend, in the aftermath of the nation's most notorious animal cruelty case. Featuring a new Afterword with updates on the Vick dogs.
Animal lovers and sports fans were shocked when the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick's brutal dog-fighting operation. But what became of the fifty-one dogs who survived? As acclaimed writer Jim Gorant reveals, their story is the truly newsworthy aspect of this case. The Lost Dogs traces the effort to bring Vick to justice and turns the spotlight on these infamous pit bulls, which were saved from euthanasia by an outpouring of public appeals coupled with a court order that Vick pay nearly a million dollars in "restitution" to the dogs.
Source..... amazon.com/Lost-Dogs-
"The Found Dogs" by Jim Gorant
"The Found Dogs follows up on the New York Times bestseller The Lost Dogs which chronicled the abuse of 51 pit bulls taken from Michael Vick’s dogfighting operation, and the heroic attempts to rescue and rehabilitate them. Scarred and scared and initially bound to be euthanized, the dogs were saved by a fearless team of advocates who fought for their rights and futures. Now, on the tenth anniversary of the bust, The Lost Dogs author Jim Gorant picks up their stories where he left off, tracking the striving and thriving, trials and triumphs, and happiness and heartbreaks that have characterized their lives. The Found Dogs brings the story of The Lost Dogs full circle."
Source..... amazon.com/Found-Dogs-Fortunes-
"Viktory to the Underdog"
The Movie has been released follow this link to "check it out" & they also have a "Facebook" page if you are wanting to have a look please share with your friends to help dispel the myth as fighting dogs obviously can be introduced back into communities.....
Viktory Dogs Wine....
"For $672 you can get the entire 22 bottle set, or you can cherry pick for $40. Carivintas Winery is behind the wine and “Best Friends” is behind the dogs. “Best Friends” is an animal sanctuary in Utah, they have twenty-two dogs that were seized from Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick’s dogfighting operation. Ten percent of the wine sales goes to “Best Friends”, who will then use it to combat dog fighting. Yes, this is a story that everyone can love"..…
Source..... http://www.mutineermagazine.com
Johhny Rotten
Jonny Justice's big baby browns will be staring out at you when you open your paper this coming Sunday. Parade Magazine is covering the dogs from the Michael Vick case with the latest updates and some
heartwarming photos. Dog lovers will want to grab up a few copies of this historic issue as keepsakes. |
Source.... nstantcontact.com
Wallace the Pit Bull.....
My name is Andrew Yori, but most people call me Roo. I think it’s important to start out by letting you know that I was not one of the people opposed to you getting a second chance. I was also not one of the people who called for a boycott of the NFL. My wife and I did adopt one of the dogs that was rescued from your Virginia property back in 2007 though. The rescuers named him Hector, and he was featured in media across the country. I did my best not to talk out against you throughout the process because I was hoping that you would learn that what you did was wrong, why it was wrong, and become one of the best advocates for the cause.
Source..... wallacethepitbullfoundation.org/open-letter-to-michael-vick/
Hector....
Hector the Pit Bull was one of the 51 dogs rescued from the Michael Vick dog fighting case back in 2007. After a couple of really crappy years to start off his life, Hector was able to enjoy 7 years of love and fun adventures! He became a Certified Therapy Dog, served as a friendly dog for kids to practice proper behavior as part of dog bite prevention programs, and was featured in media across the country.
The picture above was taken right before Hector passed away from cancer, and inspired a thoughtful person to donate $7 in his honor ($1 for each good year), and asked that we encourage others to do the same. We can’t think of a better way to honor Hector than by starting a fund to help other dogs in need. Please consider joining us by doing the following.
- Give $7 in Hector’s honor by clicking the Donate button! (If you’d like to check the box to make it a monthly recurring donation, we won’t stop you!)
- Share this page link, and invite others to join you! Feel free to post a picture of you and/or your dog along with a sign that says Thank You Hector as well!
- If you prefer, you can also mail a check to Wallace the Pit Bull Foundation PO Box 7356 Rochester, MN 55903
The Hector Fund allows Wallace the Pit Bull Foundation to help other dogs get the chance they deserve as well! Dogs like Patrick and Henry. Both dogs were confiscated due to their owners’ misdeeds, were being held at Chicago Animal Care and Control, and could only be pulled by an approved rescue group. In our partnership with the good people of Safe Humane Chicago, we were able to spring these boys free, and they are now living it up with families who adopted them and love them greatly! We look forward to honoring Hector by saving many others! We thank all of you for your support, but most of all, thank you Hector the Pit Bull!
Source..... hector-fund
Re-union.....
Seven dogs, rescued from Michael Vick’s dog-fighting operation in Virginia, pose with their owners. (Photo credit: Mark Rogers Photography/BADRAP)
October 27, 2012 marked the five-year anniversary of the discovery of NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s extensive dog fighting operation.
After Vick’s Pit Bull Terriers were seized, they were brought to several rescue organizations for care and rehabilitation. Two of those groups, Best Friends Animal Society’s Kanab, Utah dog sanctuary, Dogtown, and BADRAP, an organization out of Oakland, California, are looking back on the past five years and acknowledging the progress these dogs have made.
Dogtown co-manager Michelle Logan says that, even after all these years, the memory of Michael Vick’s crimes is still fresh in the minds of many.
“It has really brought to light the whole atrocity of Pit Bulls and dog fighting,” Logan told ABC 4 News of the Vick case’s legacy, “and the fact that Michael Vick is still in the headlines all the time, it brings to the forefront and keeps people aware.”
What a difference five years made in the lives of the rescued dogs, Logan explains. “Most of them have come so far out of their shells, it’s unbelievable to see,” Logan says of the Vicktory dogs’ journey. “When they first got here most of them were shut down, they would cower in the back of their crates.”
Ten of the Vicktory dogs taken in by the Best Friends Animal Society have been adopted by loving families. But after five years, 10 former Vick dogs still remain at Dogtown. Eight of them are still waiting for their forever homes. Two of Michael Vick’s most prized fighting dogs, Lucas and Merrill, will remain at the sanctuary for the rest of their lives due to a court order.
Over at BADRAP, the anniversary was a time of celebration. In honor of their five years of freedom, seven of the “Vicktory dogs” once housed at BADRAP gathered together for a family photo. Audie, Grace, Jonny Justice, Teddles, Zippy, Hector, and Uba posed for the celebratory shot alongside their proud owners last week."
Source.... dogtime.com
The fact is these dogs were brutalized during their time at the hands of Micheal Vick's dogfighting ring having totally dispelled the myth that ex-fighting dogs can't be rehabilitated which obviously is complete garbage and just another demonstration of Bsl proponents willingness to use fear mongering and obvious disinformation in their campaign to have the legislation enacted world wide....
Then there was Johny.....
(Sports) Dog of the Year
JONNY JUSTICE, a 45-pound, Staffordshire bull terrier, one of 66 canines rescued from Jets quarterback Michael Vick's notorious Bad Newz Kennels in Smithville, Va., in 2007 (SI, Dec. 29, 2008), has come a long way from the nightmarish conditions he endured as a puppy.
After Vick and others were convicted on federal charges of trafficking and sponsoring fighting dogs, Jonny won a Most Beautiful Dog in the Country contest in 2012, had a Gund plush toy created in his likeness and last week was recognized for his work as a therapy dog with a new award: ASPCA Dog of the Year.
Source..... sports-dog-of-the-year
I obviously haven't featured all the stories out there in this blog as it's only so big and there's an absolute mountain of information about these dogs and ways that you can help any one of the many organizations trying to help victims of this brutal sport and really don't need propaganda, fear mongering & disinformation to get in the way of a second chance for any future victims saved from the deadly clutches of organized dog fighting rings.....
If you want more info & lots of fabulous pictures of these wonderful brave little champions just follow the links below......
How Michael Vick's pit bulls changed animal rescue forever
These Were Michael Vick's Fighting Dogs. Where They Are Now is ...
Here's some more pictures of the "Viktory dogs' with some snippets about them.....
1 - Cherry.....
Photo source: Best Friends
Source..... barkpost
1. Cherry
Cherry went from a dog who slept with one eye open to a cuddly pup who goes to events and gets the word out that abused animals aren’t inherently evil. People watched him grow as one of the tough pups on the show “Dogtown” and now he’s a bit of a celebrity. Even though he was bred and taught to fight, today that’s the last thing he wants to do. He prefers constant snuggles with his family– including his canine sister and his cats.
Cherry went from a dog who slept with one eye open to a cuddly pup who goes to events and gets the word out that abused animals aren’t inherently evil. People watched him grow as one of the tough pups on the show “Dogtown” and now he’s a bit of a celebrity. Even though he was bred and taught to fight, today that’s the last thing he wants to do. He prefers constant snuggles with his family– including his canine sister and his cats.
2. Georgia
One thing that surprised Georgia’s adopter, Amy, when she came to her new home was how quickly Georgia adapted to a loving family life. Georgia’s favorite thing to do was go on walks and she taught Amy powerful lessons on forgiveness, love, and learning to trust again. (Georgia passed away in 2013 but her legacy will always live on.)
Source..... barkpost
3. - Halle
Photo source: Best Friends
3. Halle
Halle’s story continues to reiterate that no one should give up on a dog because of their past. Today Halle lives with two dog brothers and constantly plays with them. One of her brothers climbs on Halle, sits on her, bites her back legs to play– and she hasn’t gotten angry at him once. Whenever she sees another dog, her tail starts wagging and she does a happy dance. The first Vicktory dog to be adopted, Halle and her human started a dog enrichment program for shelter dogs called Halle’s Enrichment Club.
Source..... barkpost
Handsome Dan.....
Photo source: Best Friends
4. Handsome Dan
When Handsome Dan first came out of Michael Vick’s home, he was very skittish and fearful. As he’s grown older, Dan learned how to be more trusting. In 2010 his family welcomed a baby (human) sister to the family and Handsome Dan, like many pitties, was the pawfect nanny dog.
Today Handsome Dan has a dog rescue named after him and he has his own Facebook page with almost 600k likes. Handsome Dan also received the 2014 Barkie Award for the Best Dog on the Internet!
Source..... barkpost
In recent times a number of the Viktory dogs have crossed the rainbow bridge but all lived a full fruitful and happy life accomplished amazing feats in spite of or because of their struggle for life out of 51 dogs only 3 had to be put down due to aggression and the rest as you can see really made a name for themselves with tireless efforts from the rescue organizations and charities involved all of whom should be very very proud.....Searches used in compiling this blog.....
google.com.au/search=viktory+dogs
google.com.au/search?q=michael+vick+dogs
google.com.au/search?q=viktory+dogs
google.com.au/search?q=hector+the+vicktory+dog
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More To Come......
Again the best of the best in facts and information about how good pit-bulls are thank you Terry
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