[Phantom]

Candlelight vigil for NC pit bull dogs (Wilkes County, NC) that were killed or died after being held as evidence to bust the convicted dog fighter, Ed Faron...over 127 pit bull dogs were killed ...Where is this event: ...Raleigh, NC (hopefully Capitol steps)....Wednesday, March 4 2009 at 7:00pm...candles, banners and dog collars (one for each dog that was killed or died) to represent the Wildside kennel dogs that are now dead. A bell or chime will sound and a collar will be placed in a pile until all of the dead dogs are represented...BSL and Animal welfare laws MUST be changed! Pit Bull Dog owners, we are asking for your support by attending this event.

[Phantom]

This will be Wednesday, March 4, 2009 and will begin @ 7:00 pm...lasts no more than 45 minutes.
Bring candles...

[Vicki]

Who's sponsoring it?

[Phantom]

I volunteered to help care for the Ed Faron Pit bull dogs. I fell in love with them. I have not been able to sleep and am sickened that the HSUS testified against the dogs and wanted them killed. The Wilkes County Sheriff and his deputies were actually willing to allow the dogs to be evaluated by Best Friends out of Utah. But the chain of command up the ladder...including N.C. "dangerous" animal laws and ordinances on the books would not allow these precious dogs to live.

They were all precious, playful, funny and wondeful. One of my favorites was Vader..old scarred up male with cut ears and a "good ole boy" personality. He loved it when he got fresh wood shavings in his bed and would wollar all down in it and kiss my hand in thanks. Vader was Alpha male and let us know that he wanted his food FIRST. "Woof. woof, woof".

We cared for these wonderful dogs over a period of 2 months and never once was there any aggression towards any of us.

So many puppies were born. Two females looked as if they had been overbred (said the vet) and they were so skinny. I gave them Goats milk and extra food that I brought in and fattened them up. We would take their puppies out and feed them separate to give those poor stressed and worn out mommies a break. I swear you could see the stress leave their faces when they got a break from 9 and 10 puppies pulling on their teets all of the time.

Duchess (small Brendle female) insisted on her breakfast in bed. And we complied. When she first came to the warehouse she held her head low and observed us supiciously. But after a while, she would strtch up on the bars and reach out to be petted when we entered the warehouse.
One black and white male would only eat when hand fed by one of the workers. Then he slowly would accept food on the floor...but not in a bowl. Didn't like that ole metal bowl.

Several of us took puppies home and nursed them back to health when they were very close to death from Cocidia (sp?)..they got it from their mothers when they were born. I had to give "Henry" fluids with a siringe
under his skin. But he got well and fat. Then they made us bring those precious babies back to the warehouse to be killed.

I could tell you wonderful stories about each of the dogs...and I even took pictures to post on the internet hoping to stir people to fight to save these dogs. All this got the dogs was me getting on the "sh!t" side of my supervisor in charge at the warehouse and Wilkes County and HSUS. Myself and two others got banned from coming back to the warehouse and caring for the dogs on the last few days of their lives. Ed Faron had already been convicted and time was running out..but I was threatened to be indicted (says someone at the warehouse that was in charge) for risking the location of where the dogs were being held as evidence. I never breathed the location...ever. The photo that I took never revealed anything that gave away the location.
This was bullsh!t to try and scare me so that I would shut up. But I did not shut up.

It was so horribly depressing.

We need to come together and fight this bullcrap. I am so sick from this whole experience that I will never be the same again.

I have to grab Phantom and my other dogs and hold them close, so thankful that they are safe here with me and not dancing with the devil!

We fell in love with the Wildside Kennel dogs. All of us cried when they killed them.

Bring a candle . Help us grieve for these dogs while we make a statement to legislature in Raleigh that we are sick of our pit bull dogs being treated with ignorance. The legislation concerning pit bull dogs and other innocent animals MUST CHANGE! I will NOT shut up.


The vigil is well organized. There will many pit bull dog owners there.

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by Purple Who's sponsoring it?

Best Friends out of Utah and a network of others all across the United States that we have contacted.

[Phantom]

Runt...aka "Squirt


Rodney


Grimlin


Grimmy again








Henry and Phantom


Henry and Louie


My heart hurts.

[CoolHandJean]

It makes me mad that these dogs were right down the road from me, and I didn't know it, and couldn't do a damn thing to help them.

[MrgantwnDuchess]

Originally Posted by Phantom Duchess (small Brendle female) insisted on her breakfast in bed. And we complied. When she first came to the warehouse she held her head low and observed us supiciously. But after a while, she would strtch up on the bars and reach out to be petted when we entered the warehouse.

Wow that almost had me in tears...

Wish I was home from school so I could drive down and attend....

[Phantom]

From Best Friends' web site:

A meeting of the minds? (my personal comment: I doubt it)


February 23, 2009 : 8:44 PM ET
The Humane Society of the United States on February 23 issued an interim policy recommending all dogs be evaluated as individuals, and is calling a meeting of leading animal welfare organizations concerning dogs victimized by dog fighting.
Wayne Pacelle, chief executive officer and president of the Humane Society of the United States, suggested the meeting of major stakeholders in Las Vegas to work through the associated issues. This meeting is in response to concerns expressed by Best Friends Animal Society in December 2008 regarding HSUS policies related to animals confiscated in dog-fighting busts.

Pacelle said the meeting, scheduled for April, will include the participation of national stakeholder organizations that deal with pit bulls. The meeting was in the planning stages before Superior Court Judge Ed Wilson Jr. ruled that 145 pit bulls, including approximately 70 puppies, confiscated from Wildside Kennels in Wilkes County, North Carolina, would be euthanized without evaluation to determine suitability for placement.

The new interim policy announced by the HSUS, pending the outcome of the meeting, recommends that local law enforcement and animal control evaluate such dogs as individuals rather than as a category before any decision is made regarding their future.

“We expect government, corporations, and individuals to constantly re-evaluate how they deal with animal issues,” Pacelle said. “Likewise, we regularly review our own policies and procedures here at HSUS, and we think it is important to talk with professional colleagues in the movement to examine issues related to the disposition of fighting dogs.

“I am pleased to discuss these issues with personnel from Best Friends and other organizations interested in the welfare of pit bulls.”

Julie Castle, director of Community Programs and Services for Best Friends said, “There had been more than enough airing of feelings and outrage that the dogs were not evaluated prior to being summarily euthanized. It was time to hit the reset button on this in order to move things forward in a constructive way. Mr. Pacelle was open and receptive to what we had to say and we are looking forward to our meetings in April.”

Best Friends, through its campaign, “Pit Bulls: Saving America’s Dogs,” is looking forward working cooperatively with HSUS, according to Castle.

The campaign is aimed in part at educating the public and the media about pit bulls in order to help save the breed’s reputation. “Our goal is to bring positive change to lives and image of pit bulls,” she said.

Written by Best Friends staff
Photo of Meryl, a Vicktory dog, by Gary Kalpakoff

[Phantom]

[CelticKarma]

I am hoping I can be there. I wish it was on a weekend then I know I could make it.

[Tsuki's mom]

If it had been during a weekend my husband and I would be there...

[PNWPBR]

Thank you for caring for them. I knew the caretakers gave them love, I knew it.

[lvedtch]

Wow,
I wish I could be there. Please take some pictures.

[pitgirl17]

I wish I could be there but you all have my support.

[Desertponder]

Wish I could be there in person but certainly will be in spirit.

[Teal]

I wish I wasn't on the other side of the country

[mikefromMD]

God Bless.

[Phantom]

OK...the candle light vigil for the Ed Faron Pit Bulldogs has been changed one more time from Tuesday to Wednesday March 4, 2009 of next week.

There will be 4 TV networks present. I will be speaking about my experience in taking care of the Wilks County Wildside kennel dogs and what great dogs they were.

This has been one of the saddest times I have ever felt. Even though I only knew the dogs for two months, I fell in love with them and I just can't stop being torn up about them being killed.

Where: Bicentennial Mall. at 16 W. Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601

[JulieC]

Although I can't be there in person, I'll still light a candle with you.