22 Vick dogs cleared to become 'Best Friends.'

[City Lights]

'They deserve the very best that we can give them’



December 6, 2007 : 10:30 AM ET

Judge Henry Hudson of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has approved a recommendation by a guardian/special master appointed by the court that 22 of the 48 American pit bull terriers connected with the Michael Vick civil forfeiture action be placed with Best Friends Animal Society.

Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss, in a Summary Report to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, recommended that 47 dogs (one has been euthanized for medical reasons) be placed with eight organizations, with Best Friends receiving the most dogs (22). The next largest group would be placed with Bay Area Dog Lovers Responsible About Pit Bulls (BAD RAP) of Oakland, Calif. (10). Other organizations that would receive dogs are Richmond Animal League of Richmond, Va. (4); Georgia SPCA of Suwanee, Ga. (3); SPCA of Monterey County, Calif. (3); Recycled Love Inc. of Baltimore, Md. (3); Animal Rescue of Tidewater, Chesapeake, Va. (1); and PACK (Pit Bull Advocates for Compassion and Kindness), San Francisco, Calif. (1).

“The court has granted Best Friends the opportunity to do what it does best – provide a caring, rehabilitative home for these abused, homeless animals,” said Paul Berry, chief executive officer of Best Friends. “They deserve the very best that we can give them, and we are prepared to provide a safe place for them to stay for the rest of their lives.

“The pit bull is easily the most misunderstood breed of dog in the U.S. Unfortunately, it is the very loving and loyal nature of these dogs that makes them prone to exploitation.”

Huss expressed confidence in Best Friends and the other rescue organizations recommended for placement. “For the dogs that may need to remain in a sanctuary environment, although there will certainly be a period of adjustment, I believe that these dogs will not just survive, but thrive in that environment.”

more... http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?page=news&fps=1&mode=entry&entry=B018C315-BDB9-396E-9CDA3C22E7164E5E

[flvegan]

1. This is why it was so important to make a media spectacle out of this case.

Of the hundreds of dogs that will be confiscated this year on dogfighting allegations, the vast majority will have no shot at a future. This not only saves these 47 dogs, but also sets a precedent in regards to dogs that have been somehow involved in fighting.

Without the media circus and big groups like HSUS, ASPCA and Best Friends playing some hardball, these dogs would be dead as well.

[City Lights]

3. And making a media spectacle out of this was easy because of Vick.

I don't have any statistics, but I'm guessing there are lots of cases like this each year, but they don't get the media attention this one received because they don't involved a celebrity.

I'm so happy most of those dogs' lives will be saved. I hope their lives remain free from any further trauma.

[flvegan]

4. There have been over 20 busts this year alone.

Major busts, not just like one guy fighting his dog.

[Ellen Forradalom]

2. Awwww lookit the pibbles!

Just had to say that.