Pit bull puppies being housed at the emergency shelter.

Linda Campbell plays with dogs at an emergency shelter.

In July the largest dog fighting raid in US history took place, hundreds of dogs were rescued.  Sadly 160 of the rescued dogs had to be put down due to illness, behavior, or injuries. The good news is that 120 of the dogs are now going to foster homes, and hopefully the remaining ones will get to do the same.

Here are the details from the Associated Press.

They are not a vicious animal. They are the victims of abuse,” said Debbie Hill, vice president of operations for the Humane Society of Missouri. “That face and their eyes tell the story. They only want to be in someone’s home, on a couch, or sleeping at someone’s feet, maybe chew up a rug or two for entertainment. They’re learning for the first time how to be a dog.”

Once at the Missouri shelter, dogs were tested by a national team of certified animal behaviorists, taken on walks, and allowed to chew on bowling balls stuffed with peanut butter. Some finicky eaters were treated to home-cooked chicken breasts to supplement meals of dog food.

The Human Society offered The Associated Press first access to the site Tuesday. During the tour, puppies born since the raid took turns playing tug of war with a chew toy in a play room. Humane Society staff members pulled a catering cart down a long row of dog cages, calling animals by name as they slid them bowls of food.

This is such a great story because usually all the dogs involved in dog fighting get put down, they’re never even given a chance.  Maybe this is the foreshadowing of changes that are going to be put into place so the victim, the dog, isn’t the one punished for the perpetrator’s crime.

*Courtesy AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

Here are the details from The Associated Press.

“We understand Vick is trying to right his wrongs and is very interested in redemption, but you can’t find redemption without acknowledging your victims,” Racer said. “Making amends to the dogs themselves would have helped to create some closure for many of us, especially those people who worked so hard to keep them from being destroyed. It seems that Vick is not ready to go there.”

The visit would have taken place at a location where Vick could view the dogs from a distance so that it satisfied the conditions of his parole that bar him from being near animals.

Despite the fact that Vick claims he is trying to ‘right his wrong’  he declined the offer.  Maybe he was afraid the dogs would recognize him.

*Ollie is available for adoption, he’s on Dogster’s Adoption & Rescue Center.

In case you’re wondering what happened I have wonderful news to report, it was stopped. At least this time, we still have a lot of work to end the practice altogether.

Great news! Thanks to your immediate response and support, the dog cull in Qinhuangdao has been averted.

The details are still coming in – but it’s clear that the government in Qinhuangdao felt the pressure from IFAW supporters around the world. Public notices and government web site postings announcing the cull have been taken down.

If you ever wondered whether one person can make a difference – well, this is proof that you can! Every email, message, and dollar sent had a direct effect on averting a widespread, unnecessary and cruel slaughter.

We will be keeping a close eye on the area until we are convinced that no dogs will be harmed in the future. Many locals sent their pets away to friends and family in order to protect them, and we want to make sure Qinhuangdao remains a safe place for them to return.

You see, local government officials often resort to dog culls because China has no rabies prevention program or animal welfare legislation. A single case of rabies can create a panic – leading to calls for a mass dog slaughter at anytime.

That’s why it’s so important for IFAW to establish vaccination and sterilization programs within China to control overpopulation and disease – before more culls are called for.

Your donation is critical to developing these programs and ending dog culls once and for all.

I’m so proud of what we were able to achieve for these dogs. Thank you for helping to prevent such tragic and needless suffering, and for making today such a wonderful day for animals.

I want to thank Anthony for barking this update to me.

* Photo courtesy IFAW

Spokesperson John Polis and John Garcia who is heading up the dogs care at Best Friends in Kanab, Utah were interviewed on USA TODAY.

“We feel that in the very near future, Cherry may be ready for foster care,” says John Polis, spokesman for Best Friends.

“When we first got him, he would just splay down on his belly. He had just totally shut down. John had to carry him everywhere in the beginning. He’s doing very well now.”

And Georgia is a star on television and in the publicity arena.

She was on Larry King Live Monday night with Garcia and makes the rounds with him to spread the word about the dogs’ recovery from a life of abuse.

“She had experienced fighting her whole life,” Garcia says. “Now she’s going around meeting people all over with us in places like the Beverly Hills Hilton. We hope that sends a very powerful message. She’s gone from rags to riches. These dogs were the victims. All it has taken is patience.”

Before any Vicktory dog is adopted out they must pass a very difficult canine “good citizen”  test and any potential family is thoroughly scrutinized to make sure it will be an appropriate fit.  Best Friends have worked very hard to rehabilitate these dogs and want to do everything they can to ensure a successful adoption.

* Pic of John Garcia and Georgia courtesy Best Friends

The first of the chihuahuas rescued from the home of Kenneth Lang Jr. have been adopted.

On July 22nd over 90 dogs were found after authorities entered the property in Dearborn, Michigan.

The tan and chocolate-furred Chihuahua, who was one of 105 dogs rescued last month from a cramped and filthy Dearborn house, is now Som — renamed by his new owner Phuong Nguy of Royal Oak because the name represents the number three in Chinese.

Som and five other rescued Chihuahuas — Matador, Amuni, Bella, Angel and Tiny, also known as Precious Love — became the first to be adopted from the group when they were united Thursday with their new families in front of dozens of onlookers, news media and staff members at the Dearborn Animal Shelter on Greenfield Road.

The festive event featured toasts of sparkling white grape juice, a “Happy Re-Birthday” cake and smiles from the adoptive families, who were selected from more than 500 applicants.

“It was kind of love at first sight,” said the 29-year-old Nguy, holding Som upright in her arms as she described her choice.

While only six dogs left the shelter Thursday, more could be adopted out next week, shelter spokeswoman Sandra Boulton said. The dogs must pass a medical evaluation before they can be paired up with a prospective family. Before leaving the shelter, they are also spayed or neutered and microchipped.

The house which was filled with feces, trash strewn throughout, and dead dogs in the basement could be demolished within the next 60 days. Kenneth Lang Jr., the owner of the house, remains under psychiatric observation.

* Photos courtesy PATRICIA BECK/Detroit Free Press

The firefighter who shot his dogs because he didn’t want to pay to board them has been fired. The pressure on the city from dog lovers around the country helped make sure these dogs did not die in vain.

Disgraced Columbus firefighter David Santuomo, who executed his family pets and lied about it to investigators, was fired today by Safety Director Mitchell Brown.

The Dispatch and WBNS-TV (Channel 10) have learned that Santuomo sent a text message to a fellow firefighter threatening a Columbus police officer because he thought the officer had turned him in to the Capital Area Humane Society.

The message said, “You realize that there is a funeral in CPD’s future,” according to the internal-affairs investigative report.

That information was forwarded to prosecutors and the safety director, sources said.

Last week, Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr. recommended that Santuomo be fired. Only the safety director can fire firefighters under the city charter.

Brown did so today.

“After careful consideration of the relevant facts … it is my decision to uphold the recommendation of Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr. and terminate Firefighter David Santuomo from the position of firefighter for the City of Columbus,” Brown said in a statement. “As in all personnel matters, no further comment will be made at this time.”

Thousands of people have called for Santuomo’s firing through e-mails, letters and phone calls to The Dispatch and the city.

Santuomo has had other issues while working for the fire department, several reprimands for tardiness as well as for two improper remarks made on fire dispatching radios. He is a divorced father with two sons. What a role model.

Not much left to say about this, except good riddance to Santuomo.

* Photo courtesy Tom Dodge/DISPATCH, Santuomo is on the right.

I just found an update on the firefighter who shot his dogs so he wouldn’t have to pay to board them.  Santuomo’s job is now on the line,  Chief Pettus Jr.  wants him fired.

Here’s the exclusive story from WBNS 10TV.

Pettus Jr. recommended Thursday that a firefighter who shot his two dogs to death before going on vacation be terminated.

In December, an anonymous tip brought officers from the Capital Area Humane Society to the Dumpster behind Fire Station 27 where they found two bloody bags containing the dogs’ bodies.

Santuomo, 43, allegedly bragged to fellow firefighters that he shot his dogs because he was leaving on vacation.

The Division of Fire office said that several complaints and concerns were received after Santuomo’s conviction.

Pettus’ recommendation will be reviewed next week by the Director of Public Safety, fire officials said.

Santuomo has been a firefighter since 1996, 10TV News reported.

Stay with 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for continuing coverage.

Go to the WBNS site where they’re taking a poll to see what the public thinks about Santuomo losing or keeping his job. Cast your vote and let it be known that what he did is a disgrace to the fire department and he is not fit to serve the public.

Obviously the pressure from the public has had a huge effect on this case, the fact that his job is up for review proves it. Way to go dog lovers of America!

* Photo courtesy Tom Dodge/DISPATCH, Santuomo is on the right.

Last week I posted about the 400 Mini Eskimos that were rescued from a puppy mill in Kennewick,WA.

The owner of Sun Valley Kennel, Ella Stewart, has agreed to give up the dogs even though she has pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree animal cruelty.  If she hadn’t agreed to turn the dogs over they would have been held in custody until the court case was completed.

KENNEWICK, Wash. – The 371 miniature American Eskimos rescued from a puppy mill are responding well to the kindness of rescuers who are working to find them good homes.

The Humane Society of the United States is working to get the dogs into shelters across the state and possibly Oregon and Idaho so they can be adopted. The dogs range in age from a few days old to their late teens. Two females are set to give birth.

The younger pups will need foster care until they’re old enough to be adopted, while others may need extensive medical attention. Rescuers said some dogs had matted coats, urine burns, dental issues as a result of poor diet, bite wounds and old scarring.

Thank goodness these dogs don’t have to suffer anymore and will soon be adopted into loving forever homes. Information on adopting the dogs can be found at The Humane Society’s Website.

* Pic courtesy HSUS/Miami

In early May I posted about Hoggie,  the dog who saved his owners from a mountain lion attack. He suffered serious injury, ending up with over 100 stitches.

Hoggie is going to be honored at a parade this Saturday, he was chosen to be Grand Marshall.

Hoggie - the dog who tangled with a mountain lion in the Cleveland National Forest earlier this month – will be grand marshal in a parade in Arcadia on Saturday.

The Queensland Heeler-Labrador mix will wear a super dog cape at the Whiskers ‘n’ Tails Pet Fair & Parade on Saturday. The popular annual city event will take place at Arcadia’s City Hall and include a fair with animal-care vendors, local veterinarians, groomers, trainers, pet sitters and more.

“The whole story of Hoggie just gripped me,” said Leo Diaz, a city staff member who came up with the idea to honor the heroic dog. “How they raced down the hill to the vet to save his life. And the way Hoggie saved theirs. I was pulling for him the whole time he was in surgery. I can’t wait to meet him.”

Diaz also hopes people who live in the 56,000-person town close to the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains will learn from Hoggie’s story.

“We have a lot of hiking trails here and awareness is key when living in mountain lion country,” said Diaz.

Way to go Hoggie, a well deserved honor.

* Pic courtesy STEVE ZYLIUS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Yesterday I posted the story about Hoagie the hero dog who saved his owners from a mountain lion when they were out hiking. In yesterday’s story the spelling of the dog’s name was Hoagie and today it’s Hoggie, all that matters is that it’s the same dog.

The word has spread about this heroic dog and people are coming forward to help out the couple with his expenses.  His owners have fallen on hard times, both had worked in the construction industry, they recently lost their house.

Concerns about Hoggie – who received at least 100 stitches after a mountain lion ripped into his side – prompted offers of assistance from a pet care group in Hollywood and, according to Hoggie’s owner William Morse, from a representative of First Lady Michelle Obama.

And, Morse said the U.S. Forest Service is allowing them to remain at the campground free of charge for a few days while Hoggie, a 5-year-old Queensland Heeler-Labrador mix, recovers. Morse and his wife, Kandy, are living in their RV.

“We’re using bologna to force-feed him the antibiotics,” Morse said. “The next 48 hours are very critical for his recovery.”

The couple is getting some high-profile help. Actors and Others for Animals in North Hollywood agreed to pay half of the vet bill for Hoggie’s surgery after they received an emergency call for help.

“We wanted to make sure this animal received the medical care it needed,” said Susan Taylor, executive director for the group. “It’s unusual to be attacked by a mountain lion, but we’ve paid for dogs attacked by other dogs, coyotes or snakes. We’re here to help the low and fixed income individuals.”

The couple is currently living on unemployment, hoping maybe the park they were camping in might hire them to do odd jobs. Right now they’re concentrating on nursing  Hoggie back to health.

We wish the Morse family and Hoggie the best of luck.

*Pic courtesy STEVE ZYLIUS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER