In 2007, a group of dogs were saved from organized torture in NFL player Michael Vick’s backyard. His dog fighting ring was liberated and he was put in jail. Many people believed that the dogs found at his house weren’t fit to live in homes, because of their killer instincts. That just isn’t true, and the Best Friends Animal Society agreed. They took in 22 dogs, which became known as “Vicktory Dogs.” They were saved from that horrible place… and found loving, amazing homes. Here are their stories.

1.) Cherry used to fight, but now he attends events and helps other abused animals rehabilitate. He was on “Dogtown” and transformed from a tough dog into a lover, friends with everyone he meets.

2.) Georgia: This dog surprised her new mom, Amy, when she brought her into the home. Amy didn’t know just how quickly Georgia would adapt to a loving, domesticated life. Georgia passed away in 2013.

3.) Halle: No one should give up on rescued dogs just because of their past. Halle now lives with two dog brothers and constantly plays with them. She wags her tail, frolics and “play fights” – all without incident. She is truly a lovely dog.

4.) Handsome Dan was adopted by a family who now has a little girl. While skittish at first, Handsome Dan has learned to trust humans again and it a fantastic family member. Amazingly, he has a Facebook fan page with over 400,000 fans!

5.) Little Red: For 5 years, Little Red was used as a “bait dog.” “Bait” animals are used to test a dog’s fighting skills, and are frequently mauled in the process. Once Red was rescued, it took her a while to recover… and now she is blissfully happy.

6.) Oliver: When this dog was brought home, he had no fear. He was so willing to let his new family love him, even though in his original evaluation it was said that he was very fearful of people. Oliver would jump on his mom Erika’s lap and shower her with kisses.

7.) Squeaker: Even though Squeaker was involved in a vicious dog fighting ring, you’d never know it. Now, she lovingly lives with her family and 6 additional dogs, who all get along together.

8.) Mel: Mel’s new dad, Richard Hunter, was a radio show host in Dallas back in 2007. He reported on the dog fighting ring and eventually became emotionally attached to the animals. When he had an opportunity to adopt one of the animals, he jumped at the chance and went to the Best Friends sanctuary in Utah. Now, Mel and Richard live happily together.

9.) Oscar: Oscar’s mom, Rachel, didn’t mean to adopt a Vicktory dog, she just wanted a pit bull. But adopting Oscar was one of the best decisions she made. She not only gave him a new home, but supports other rescued dogs by interacting with the community.

The post This Is What Happened To The Dogs Liberated From Michael Vick’s Dog Fighting Ring appeared first on ILoveDogsAndPuppies.

This plea comes from the parents of Sabre:

My name is Sabre KazDrummond, I am not quite 3 years old. I was adopted at 1 by my furparents after my previous family gave me back to the rescue saying that I was too much to handle.  (That family even put me on Prozak.)  But my furparents, Andrea Kaz and Steve Drummond would have none of that medication stuff for me!!  

Momma gave me exercise and boundaries.  She taught me how to behave like a gentleman around cats.  I had issues to work out…  separation anxiety, mouthy behavior and mange.  It took close to 6 mos for me to understand that I had to work for what I wanted and I had to behave to get treats.  Luckily, I am a smarty pants and I am SUPER food motivated.   

Momma and Poppa also like to bring me EVERYWHERE they can.  They even had me at their wedding!!  I was all dressed up and was titled, the BEST dog…  

Last fall I was diagnosed with bladder cancer.  Instead of just giving up on me, like everyone else has in my past, my furparents decided, without blinking to treat my cancer with chemo and medication.  As long as I continued to have a good quality of life, they were gonna do what it required of them as doggie parents.  

Without pet insurance, my chemo and meds cost about $700/mo.  That will continue, until I can no longer fight off the cancer.  Unfortunately, bladder cancer is almost always terminal.  

Sabre happily rolling in the grass.

My vets at Veterinary Specialty Center say that I am doing really well, but my mass has grown.  The ultrasound showed that it is pushing on my kidney, it makes me feel like I have to pee, all the time.  I still have hope that I can enjoy life, like every other dog and continue to bring joy to my furparents lives.

Will you help make the financial burden a little less for my furparents??  Every dollar counts!

Sabre waiting at the vet after a chemo treatment.

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After an investigation into John Psaila’s home in Thornvale, Abram, UK has landed him in jail for what was described as a “training school” for fighting dogs.  Psaila admitted to police 14 separate offenses, including an admission to both training animals for fighting purposes and possession of equipment used in dog fights.

The investigation was launched after authorities were tipped off by neighbors about his possible involvement in prepping dogs for a fight, and also transporting them for fighting purposes.

Two pit bulls, one called Ziggy and the other Tip were found on his property, along with treadmills and other training equipment.  He was also in possession of home veterinary supplies including muscle building powders and medications, and something called “breaking sticks,” which are used to break up dogs that are fighting without getting into the ring with dogs.

It’s believed that Psaila had been legally breeding dogs for many years before getting into dog fighting.  His defense attorney pointed to him being “strapped for cash,” and only doing it to make ends meet.

The Chief Inspector for the RSPCA Ian Briggs called the man’s home nothing more than “a training grounds for fighting dogs,” after sentencing.  He was quoted as saying Psaila had “no regard for the dogs in his care.  All he wanted out of those dogs was to boost his own ego and his own sanding inside the dog-fighting fraternity by fighting them as much as he could.”

He then added, “John Psaila appears to be a big player in the dog fighting world, judging by the evidence we found during our investigation.”

Psaila was jailed for 121 days at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court.  He has also been banned from ever owning animals again, which can be appealed in 15 years.  Dog fighting in the UK has been outlawed for the past 180 years, and recently, it seems like more and more cases of it are cropping up there.  Police and officials are doing everything they can to stop the criminals, but the secretive nature of dog fighting rings make it hard.

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These poor furry friends just can’t stay awake!  Who brought the chamomile tea to this party?

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