Vick ' s dogs: ASPCA considers the options

Poor Gina's sick at home, and I've been so swamped trying to catch up from my recent bout with whooping cough (yes, I'm ten years old and it's 1927), I haven't been pulling my blogging weight around here. I'll try to do better!



News tonight from the ASPCA about the fate of the dogs siezed in the Michael Vick dogfighting case. It seems that reports they would be euthanized without evaluation aren't true, and that both the ASPCA and Bad Rap, a San Francisco-based pit bull rescue organization, will be involved in evaluating the dogs, and will make recommendations to the USDA as to their futures:

Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, CAAB, executive vice president, National Programs, and science advisor for the ASPCA, will be leading a team of several other certified applied animal behaviorists (trained animal behavior experts who have been certified by the Animal Behavior Society) in conducting behavior evaluations of the pit bulls seized during the course of the investigation.



As part of this process, BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), a San Francisco-based non profit organization that is an educational resource for pit bull owners and the shelters that house them, will be working with the ASPCA-led team to help identify dogs that can be absorbed into experienced foster programs for further observation and possible re-homing into appropriate homes—one of several possible outcomes for these dogs.



“We greatly appreciate the trust placed in us by the USDA to ensure that these dogs are given every opportunity to have a second chance, and take this phase of the investigation very seriously,” said Ed Sayres, ASPCA president & CEO. “Fighting dogs obviously face a lot of challenges when considered for rehabilitation or placement but we will make sure they get the professional, thorough and detailed evaluations that they deserve.”



Said Donna Reynolds, BAD RAP executive director, “We’ve seen time and time again that by pooling resources, we can get more accomplished for animals. We’re honored to be a part of the ASPCA’s team effort and look forward to giving our best to the dogs. After all they’ve been through, they certainly deserve a fair trial.”



The ASPCA-led evaluation team will conduct several tests on these dogs, including their response to humans and other dogs, as well as their general reactivity and comfort with being handled. No further details on the specifics of these tests can be released at this time.

The USDA will receive a report that includes evaluations of the dogs and suggestions as to appropriate disposition of the dogs:

Other than possible re-homing into appropriate foster homes, recommendation options may include rehabilitation as law enforcement dogs, placement in sanctuaries (which will need to meet USDA facility standards), or euthanasia. However, euthanasia is not the only recommendation or option that will be considered, as has been reported in some media accounts—the results of the evaluations will determine what those recommendations are. No dogs will be placed in private homes at this time. All placements will be made with, and through, experienced rescue, foster and sanctuary groups.

Full release here.

Comments

[Elaine]

This article by Sally Jenkins on Michael Vick my have been posted previously, but it bears repeating. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082102093.html

[BRENDA]

GOD BLESS ANYONE WHO SAVES THESE WONDERFUL ANIMALS. I PRAY NO MORE ANIMALS ARE KILLED BECAUSE OF TRASHY vick. ALL THE ANIMALS NEED TO BE EVALUATED, RETRAINED, AND MOSTLY LOVED. ALL TRAINING, EVALUATION, FOOD, VET, ETC SHOULD COME FROM vicks BLOOD MONEY. IF I AS AN ANIMAL LOVER AND PROTECTOR CAN HELP IN ANY WAY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. AGAIN MAY GOD RICHLY BLESS ANYONE HELPING THESE CREATURES SO HORRIBLY TREATED BY TRASHY vick.

[Deb]

I for one am amazed that the USDA and the Federal court system are pursuing this disposition of the dogs in a reasonable manner. Perhaps they realized that allowing HSUS to euthanize the dogs would have resulted in an emormous public cry of outrage. There is no guarantee any or all of the Vick dogs will pass evaluation but now there is a chance at least one will not have to die because of Vick's arrogance.

[Carol]

Nice to see that PETA and the HSUS have been thwarted in their ridiculous attempts to have these dogs euthanized without any attempt to re-home them.



How ironic that the two groups who've reaped the most from this financially are the same groups that are hell-bent on seeing these dogs put to death.



I guess if the dogs are dead, no one can try to force them to shell out some of the money raised in their names for their continuing care.

[EmilyS]

this is excellent news, though I hope they involve additional experienced pit bull rescuers

[Luisa]

I am so pleased about this. "A fair trial" is something these dogs have deserved all along, and it finally looks like that's exactly what they'll get, yay.

[Serijna]

Great that Bad Rap will also be involved in the assessment.

Looks like the Vick case does have a silver lining. Dogfighting busts are up and wonderful people like Sheriff Butch are coming out of the woodwork.

http://www.pet-abuse.com/pages/posts/20070731_92.php