Miscellaneous

Gone to the Dogs

By Anne Skove, Esq.

What happens when illegal dogs are found and confiscated? Usually we expect the worst: sick, violent, unteachable dogs that cannot be saved.

You may have heard a thing or two about the notorious case of Michael Vick. What you may not have heard: many of the dogs were not only saved but are now thriving.

Leo, Hector, Teddles, Iggy, Zippy, Cherry Garcia, Hazel, Little Red, Uba, Squeaker, Big Fella, Handsome Dan, Ginger, Ernie, Alf, Sweet Pea, Jane -- all but one of the 50 pit bulls found on Vick's property were rescued and are now living happy lives with adoptive families or special sanctuaries. Many are in treatment. One is reportedly receiving acupuncture for anxiety.

How did it happen? Rather than painting an entire breed with the same brush, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson ordered individual evaluations for the dogs. Vick was ordered to pay for the dogs' care. And, attorney and law professor Rebecca Huss, an expert on animal rescue organizations and veterinary malpractice, was appointed to oversee the evaluation process.

Without this expertise and careful case-by-case handling, most if not all of the dogs would have been destroyed.

See Saving Michael Vick's Dogs, Brigid Schulte, Washington Post (July 7, 2008); Pit Bull Police State, by Cecil Thomas, The Dean of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Beacon (May 25, 2008); Detroit Dog Fighting Raid Nets 53 Arrests; Cash, Weapons, Drugs Seized, Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press (July 14, 2008); People Arrested at Detroit Dog Fight Bust Freed, AP (July 21, 2008); Reward Upped for Turning in Dogfighters, John Woestendiek, Baltimore Sun (July 17, 2008); Pet Acupuncture, Diane Holloway, Austin American-Statesman; and PETA's Position on Pit Bull Bans.

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on July 21, 2008 (boomark / email).