Michael Vick Dogfighting Horror Story Has a Happy Ending - For the Dogs!

Gorant points out that nearly always, dogs used to fight are routinely put down. However, using money Michael Vick paid as restitution, many of the dogs involved in the Vick case were saved. The 47 surviving dogs, all Pit Bull-types or American Staffordshire Terriers, were individually assessed by a team led by Stephen Zawistowski, executive vice president-national programs and science advisor for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

"The assessments were made based on an accumulation of knowledge about evaluation of dogs at animal shelters from any background, looking at responses to people and to other dogs," says Zawistowski. "It began with bringing dogs out of kennels one by one. How did the dogs react to strange people? How did they react with people around food or a rawhide? In many cases, we first used a decoy dog to see how they would react before trying a real dog."

The dogs were divided into one of three groups. Around 40 percent were as friendly as could be but lacked manners and household experience. Most dogs in this group didn't know how to deal with stairs or had no idea what a bicycle was. Gradual exposure and confidence-building were all they needed.

The second group, representing around 30 percent of the Vick dogs, were what Zawistowski dubbed "pancake dogs."

"These dogs were definitely damaged; they were shut down, agoraphobic," he notes. "This group of dogs were in deep isolation for so long they required gradual decompression from experienced dog handlers."

The final 30 percent of the dogs were clearly aggressive. "We needed to understand exactly what the triggers were for these dogs and then determined if they were able to be rehabbed," Zawistowski says.

Dogs from the first group went to qualified foster homes, often experienced families affiliated with BAD RAP (a Pit Bull advocacy group). Dogs from the other two groups went to animal sanctuaries, most notably Best Friends Animal Society, Konab, UT.

The results surprised even veteran behaviorist Zawistowski. "We wouldn't have made the recommendations if we didn't believe some of the dogs could blossom. Having said that, we're even surprised at about how much they blossomed. "

Gorant spotlights each of the dogs in his book. One of his favorites was Hector, who clearly had fought and had the scars to prove it. "He's now a therapy dog certified to work in hospitals and nursing homes. He's one of several rock stars that emerged from all this," Gorant notes.

Sox was so affected by her past that evaluators seriously considered euthanasia. She wasn't aggressive, per se. In fact, she was incredibly withdrawn. In fact, while awake, with people present, she'd often close her eyes and withdraw to another place. Like several of the Vick dogs, she suffered from at least one tick-borne disease. With medical care and lots of patience, Sox has become a certified therapy dog.

Is it amazing that so many of the Vick dogs have flourished with love? Most dog trainers would say "no."

And what do these successes say about the frequently maligned Pit Bulls?

"I went into this having no ideas about Pit Bulls," says Gorant. "I wanted to discover where the myths end and the reality begins. I wasn't on any side of the (breed ban) debate. Well, I've learned that Pit Bulls aren't a problem. In fact, these dogs are quite amazing, including their ability to forgive. If you did get rid of the Pit Bull, I'm not sure how that would deter people who are criminals or people attracted to the dogs for machismo."

Does this mean there's now hope for other fighting dogs? The answer is a qualified yes.

"It's the old law of unintended consequences," says Zawistowski. "So, what if the ethic to save the dogs spreads, and spreads to shelters already overcrowded with Pit Bulls? What do they do? I honestly don't know the answer. Then, we did have that enormous fighting case in the Midwest, with 400 dogs seized. A couple of hundred dogs successfully went into adoptive homes from there."

Of course, all dogfighters don't have the money Michael Vick had to pay restitution, which funded the rehab and medical care many of the dogs required.

"Perhaps, we're asking more questions than we've answered," adds Zawistowski. "Keep in mind, many of the Vick dogs weren't damaged very much; it's like they got off the wrong bus at Bad Newz Kennels. But I think we certainly demonstrated that if you have the resources, desire, skill and time, there are possibilities to save these (fighting) dogs."

(Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he also hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend.