[Purple]

Vick's dogs are safe, but old scars remain
By JULIET MACUR
The New York Times


Georgia, now at the Best Friends Animal Society sanctuary, has no teeth and behaves oddly.


KANAB, Utah -- A quick survey of Georgia, a caramel-colored pit bull mix with cropped ears and soulful brown eyes, offers clues to a difficult life. Her tongue juts from the left side of her mouth because her jaw, once broken, healed at an awkward angle. Her tail zigzags.

But there is one haunting sign that Georgia may have endured more abuse than any of the 47 other surviving pit bulls seized in April from the property of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick in connection with an illegal dogfighting ring.

Georgia has no teeth. All 42 of them were pried from her mouth, most likely so she could not harm male dogs during forced breeding.

Her caregivers here at the Best Friends Animal Society sanctuary, the new home for 22 of Vick's former dogs, are more concerned with her emotional wounds. They wonder why she barks incessantly at her doghouse and what makes her roll her toys so obsessively that her nose is rubbed raw.

"I'm worried most about Georgia," said Best Friends veterinarian Frank McMillan. "You don't have the luxury of asking her, or any of these animals: 'What happened to you in your past life? How can we stop you from hurting?'"

Vick is serving a 23-month sentence in a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., for bankrolling his Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting operation and helping execute dogs that were not good fighters. Pit bulls seized from illegal fighting operations are usually euthanized after becoming property of the government, but many animal rescue organizations urged the prosecutors to let these dogs live.

The government agreed to give them a second chance after Vick agreed to pay $928,073 for evaluation and care of all the dogs. They were seen by animal experts and eventually dispersed to eight rescue organizations for adoption, rehabilitation or lifetime care in sanctuaries, where they have been neutered. Only one dog was euthanized for aggression against people.

Best Friends, which is caring for more dogs than any other organization, received about $389,000. Many of the group's dogs are expected to be adopted after they are rehabilitated and matched with the right families. Vick's 25 other dogs are in foster care nationwide.

Life at Best Friends is nothing like it was at Vick's property in Smithfield, Va. There they slept on concrete. Their water, if any, was kept in algae-covered bowls. Most were underfed. Some showed recent lacerations.

Here, they live in a 3,700-acre sanctuary covered by juniper trees and sagebrush and surrounded by canyons and red-rock formations. There are four full-time caregivers. The dogs are assigned to a private area called Dogtown Heights. Each dog has an individual dog run because for now, the dogs must remain isolated.

Vick paid $18,275 for the lifetime care of each of his dogs here but one. Denzel was deemed highly adoptable, so his fee was only $5,000.

http://www.star-telegram.com/nationa...ry/450053.html

[chinasmom]

A quick survey of Georgia, a caramel-colored pit bull mix with cropped ears and soulful brown eyes, offers clues to a difficult life.

Why were they even breeding mixes, if that's in fact what it was. You would have thought as high a profile this guy had, he would only be dealing with the best of the best. Instead, he was just a Gangster like you hear about on the news everyday. The breed being in the wrong hands.

[Michele]

He was the lowest form of life. He was scum.

I hope Georgia mentally heals from the abuse she endured from that monster. I hope she can at least live the rest of her life somewhat happy.

[screamin'eagle]

I don't deny that the people that were caring for these dogs were scum, but I doubt she lost her teeth for breeding purposes.

I am a firm believer that once the bitch is receptive most breedings go off without a dog aggressive hitch. Plus they easily could have afforded a breeding stand.

She could have lost them as a result of fighting, improper use of a parting stick, poor nutrition, a genetic defect, etc. but I don't buy forced out for breeding purposes.

Also I don't put it past them to have been breeding mixed bred dogs.

[Michele]

a genetic defect,

The only genetic defect is Michael Vick

[Miakoda]

Each dog has an individual dog run because for now, the dogs must remain isolated.

This statement scares me. I can only imagine the fights & deaths of dogs we won't hear about once all whopping 4 of those full-time caregivers start doubling or trippling up dogs in kennels.

[maryellen]

well, if they took the vick dogs out of the kennel environment and put them in foster homes i bet her obsessive behavior would stop... you cant keep pitbulls in a kennel environment without them going kennel crazy after a while.. its a no brainer... those 4 helpers dont sit w/the dogs 24/7

[Miakoda]

Originally Posted by maryellen well, if they took the vick dogs out of the kennel environment and put them in foster homes i bet her obsessive behavior would stop... you cant keep pitbulls in a kennel environment without them going kennel crazy after a while.. its a no brainer... those 4 helpers dont sit w/the dogs 24/7

Exactly. A life in a kennel with food and water yet no socialization or exercise isn't really any better life than one in a kennel without anything. Another reason I don't agree with what Best Friends has done and is doing. Just because a dog is breathing, eating, and drinking, doesn't mean it's living. There's more to life than just being alive.

[Madeleinemom]

Originally Posted by Miakoda Exactly. A life in a kennel with food and water yet no socialization or exercise isn't really any better life than one in a kennel without anything. Another reason I don't agree with what Best Friends has done and is doing. Just because a dog is breathing, eating, and drinking, doesn't mean it's living. There's more to life than just being alive.

Precisely.

As far as I am concerned, Best Friends is a warehousing operation.

I fundamentally disagree with this approach to rescue.

IMHO, a dog, especially an APBT, should only be in a kennel on a very short term basis (1-2 weeks maximum).

If the rescue in question (Best Friends or whoever it amy be) does not have foster homes lined up, my belief is that euthanasia is a better approach.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by screamin'eagle I don't deny that the people that were caring for these dogs were scum, but I doubt she lost her teeth for breeding purposes. I am a firm believer that once the bitch is receptive most breedings go off without a dog aggressive hitch. Plus they easily could have afforded a breeding stand. She could have lost them as a result of fighting, improper use of a parting stick, poor nutrition, a genetic defect, etc. but I don't buy forced out for breeding purposes. Also I don't put it past them to have been breeding mixed bred dogs.

"She could have lost them as a result of fighting, improper use of a parting stick, poor nutrition, a genetic defect, etc. but I don't buy forced out for breeding purposes" Hmmm, all 42 teeth missing and it could have been due to fighting, improper use of break stick etc.,etc.sure,sure. That sounds like the kind of reasoning that comes from XXXXX or MAYBE the dog was hit in the face by a car and lost all the teeth.... OR, maybe, just maybe the sorry ass bunch of low life thugs knocked them all out for whatever their sorry ass reason was...I think I'll go with the last one.

[screamin'eagle]

those are all reasons to have lost teeth. Point being...there is no reason to have removed all of her teeth for breedinf purposes. Rescues always make up stories about dogs with scars being used as bait dogs when they have no clue, and this is the same way that I see this. You can agree or disagree, but what does XXXXX have to do with it? Nothing...that was just your lackluster attempt at some sort of attack. If you have an opinion, by all means post it, but don't resort to attacks that have nothing to do with the original subject. Agree or disagree other websites have nothing to do with this thread!

Originally Posted by Grizzly "She could have lost them as a result of fighting, improper use of a parting stick, poor nutrition, a genetic defect, etc. but I don't buy forced out for breeding purposes" Hmmm, all 42 teeth missing and it could have been due to fighting, improper use of break stick etc.,etc.sure,sure. That sounds like the kind of reasoning that comes from XXX or MAYBE the dog was hit in the face by a car and lost all the teeth.... OR, maybe, just maybe the sorry ass bunch of low life thugs knocked them all out for whatever their sorry ass reason was...I think I'll go with the last one.

[babyreba]

I hate long-term dog warehousing. But honestly, the dogs are probably completely used to living understimulated lives in kennels or at the end of tie downs so I can't see how Best Friends is putting them into any worse of a situation than they were in before. In fact, I'd hazard to guess that their lives will be better--perhaps marginally, I don't know since I've never been to BF. The big difference now is that the dogs won't be used for breeding or fighting. Doesn't look like Vick's people kept the dogs in great shape mentally or physically when they owned them, so this ought to be something of an improvement for these animals.

It's a lot of money to spend to keep dogs alive in kennels, though, with no purpose in life.

[monkeys23]

Originally Posted by Miakoda Exactly. A life in a kennel with food and water yet no socialization or exercise isn't really any better life than one in a kennel without anything. Another reason I don't agree with what Best Friends has done and is doing. Just because a dog is breathing, eating, and drinking, doesn't mean it's living. There's more to life than just being alive.

I agree.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by screamin'eagle those are all reasons to have lost teeth. Point being...there is no reason to have removed all of her teeth for breedinf purposes. Rescues always make up stories about dogs with scars being used as bait dogs when they have no clue, and this is the same way that I see this. You can agree or disagree, but what does XXXXX have to do with it? Nothing...that was just your lackluster attempt at some sort of attack. If you have an opinion, by all means post it, but don't resort to attacks that have nothing to do with the original subject. Agree or disagree other websites have nothing to do with this thread!

There was no attack, If I was guilty of ANYTHING it would be the mentioning of another website.

"Rescues always make up stories about dogs with scars being used as bait dogs when they have no clue, and this is the same way that I see this."
I beg to differ. In no way can we say that Rescues "ALWAYS" make up stories of this nature.That is unless we have examined each and every incident. I am sure that there are in fact occasions that stories are made up or exagerated but to say "ALWAYS" is to do a great dis-service to the rescuers. Whether we like it or not, or want to admit it or not, bait dogs are a sad reality in some circles as is the dog abuse than many "rescuers" encounter.

[screamin'eagle]

Originally Posted by Grizzly "Rescues always make up stories about dogs with scars being used as bait dogs when they have no clue, and this is the same way that I see this." I beg to differ. In no way can we say that Rescues "ALWAYS" make up stories of this nature.That is unless we have examined each and every incident. I am sure that there are in fact occasions that stories are made up or exagerated but to say "ALWAYS" is to do a great dis-service to the rescuers. Whether we like it or not, or want to admit it or not, bait dogs are a sad reality in some circles as is the dog abuse than many "rescuers" encounter.

We can deal here with the always statement. Always can be an absolute statement, but the word continuously is also a synonym of always. Also the American Heritage dictionary, in definition #3, does define it as " At any time; in any event: You can always resign if you're unhappy." and this was my intent...

In any event that a scarred dog shows up any given rescue can (and will) define those injuries as having been occurred as a result of being used as a bait dog. Were they "always..." no. Do abandoned strays fight? Yes. Are dogs abused other than having been used for bait by dogfighters? Yes. Has this explanation been used at any time? Yes. Is this to say that every rescue says that every scarred dog was used as bait...no. IS it mislabled...yes. Can the definition of always be applied to my statement as it was above...yes.

Are dogs continuously mislabeled as bait dogs...yes. Are dogs in reality used as bait dogs...yes.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by screamin'eagle We can deal here with the always statement. Always can be an absolute statement, but the word continuously is also a synonym of always. Also the American Heritage dictionary, in definition #3, does define it as " At any time; in any event: You can always resign if you're unhappy." and this was my intent... In any event that a scarred dog shows up any given rescue can (and will) define those injuries as having been occurred as a result of being used as a bait dog. Were they "always..." no. Do abandoned strays fight? Yes. Are dogs abused other than having been used for bait by dogfighters? Yes. Has this explanation been used at any time? Yes. Is this to say that every rescue says that every scarred dog was used as bait...no. IS it mislabled...yes. Can the definition of always be applied to my statement as it was above...yes. Are dogs continuously mislabeled as bait dogs...yes. Are dogs in reality used as bait dogs...yes.

Screamin'eagle, that was very thorough explaination you provided....as ALWAYS.

[Pennsooner]

That dog could VERY easily lost her teeth by chewing on her chain or on rocks as well. Since it would be a lot cheaper and easier to just use a muzzle I seriously doubt they went to the trouble to pull all her teeth.

And yes, I hate seeing these dogs in the hands of "best friends". They obviously don't have much in the way of a clue about Pitbulldogs.

[Michele]

And yes, I hate seeing these dogs in the hands of "best friends". They obviously don't have much in the way of a clue about Pitbulldogs

Well, I dont know if I agree with you or not but I think I'd rather see them at Best Friends than with Michael Vick.

[Pennsooner]

Originally Posted by Michele Well, I dont know if I agree with you or not but I think I'd rather see them at Best Friends than with Michael Vick.

Yes, but no one (that I've heard about) is trying to say Mike Vick is a great guy and throw tons of money at him. IMO, Best Friends is exploiting these dogs to get donations. I'll change my mind if I see some sign that they are working to get up to speed but all I see is one stupid thing they spout after another. Play dates, the pulling the dogs teeth so it could be bred. Best Friends got $18,200 apiece for taking these dogs and they don't seem to have made any effort to get help or advice from any Pitbull savvy folks. IMO they are the rescue version of the person who takes their Pitbull to the dog park so they can "make friends".

And it matters because these dogs are under a microscope and the situation at Best Friends has a good chance to go bad because the Best Friends people don't know what they are doing.

[Grizzly]

Originally Posted by Pennsooner That dog could VERY easily lost her teeth by chewing on her chain or on rocks as well. Since it would be a lot cheaper and easier to just use a muzzle I seriously doubt they went to the trouble to pull all her teeth. And yes, I hate seeing these dogs in the hands of "best friends". They obviously don't have much in the way of a clue about Pitbulldogs.

Why sure the dog could have. I see dogs everyday walking around without a tooth in their head from chewing on rocks. Could've lost all her teeth from gettin' in a fight with a kick-boxer too.