Vick's Dogs Call D.C. Home|ABC 7 News

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Vick's Dogs Call D.C. Home

posted 5:07 pm Wed December 12, 2007 - Washington

tags: vick • dog • pit bull • animal

Nearly a dozen pit bulls once owned by Michael Vick are now calling D.C. home after some local animal advocates starting caring for the dogs.

Behind a northwest dog pen, the dogs that frolic and romp hardly look like vicious dogs. But the animals were part of a now notorious dog fighting operation run by football superstar and convicted felon Michael Vick.

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The animals in D.C. are a fraction of the nearly four dozen seized last summer at the Bad Newz Kennels in Smithfield, Va. When no one claimed the animals, a federal court ordered they be evaluated and assigned to shelters across the country, including the Washington Animal Rescue League.

"Any animal that comes to us from a very abusive environment, a traumatic environment requires an environment like ours that sets them up for success that promotes their well being and recovery," said Scotlund Haisley from the rescue league.

Eleven dogs, both male and female, are being temporarily housed at the state of the art facility. It's one of nearly a dozen that was chosen to care for the 47 surviving pit bulls, who until this summer, were part of a vicious blood-sport.

Experts said 22 of the dogs are likely to be adoptable while the remaining will spend their lives in animal sanctuaries. As part of a plea agreement, Vick must pay for that care.

The dogs are being housed away from other adoptable animals at the shelter. Animal lovers are happy to hear that the abused pit bulls were finally getting the attention they deserve.

Linda Tavenner said, "I think it's wonderful because they take such good care of animals and they're so good at it. I'm sure they're getting lots of love and attention and care."

"I just think that it's awesome that there's someone to help take care of the dogs and see if we can get them help instead of putting them down," said Monique Taylor.

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