Yep, you read that right! We're tired of hearing all the media hype about Michael Vick, including the praise that has been rolling forth from the "give the ex-dogfighting,now reformed animal loving Michael Vick the right to own a dog" HSUS. We can't stop people for idol worshipping him because he can play football, but we're not joining them. Maybe one day some die-hard fans will be able to see through the football jersey to the heart of the man they are now praising as one worthy of honor and a key to the city.
This video needs no introduction. Vick doesn't appear to care about the dogs he tortured. And we don't care about Vick!
If the video doesn't play, click here.
There are many men and women in the world who are honorable role models but they can't play football so they're real but unsung heroes. We would rather hear about them.
Meet the Funny Farmers: (l-r) Marcus, Taylor, angel Cyndi, angel Rusty, Micah, angel Merci & angel Percy.
Showing posts with label Dogfighting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dogfighting. Show all posts
Monday, February 07, 2011
Saturday, May 22, 2010
We Are Missing
We have been without a computer since Thursday and do not know when we will be able to return. We are supposed to post the winners of the contest tomorrow but we're not sure we're going to be able to. We will try. If we can't, they will be posted as soon as possible. Our apologies for any inconvenience this might cause.
We have access to very few email addresses and no blog urls so even if we could visit, we can't find you.
Have a purring and tail wagging day.
We have access to very few email addresses and no blog urls so even if we could visit, we can't find you.
Have a purring and tail wagging day.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Anatomy of a GA Raid
We want to share this Humane Association of Georgia (HAGA) email with you. A Georgia residence was recently raided and 97 dogs hidden in the woods were confiscated. 97 pit bulls -- some starving, some scarred -- and the property owner says they're family pets.
Georgia Alert from CNN on 10-15-09: Authorities raided a residence in Laurens County, Georgia, and found dogs scarred and malnourished
Anatomy of a raid to rescue dogs allegedly bred to fight From Brooke Baldwin and Susan Brown CNN
LAURENS COUNTY, Georgia (CNN) -- It was 8 a.m. October 15. Our CNN crew had been up for a while, waiting. We still didn't have an address.
My producer, Susan Brown, and I had several questions: What would the living conditions of these dogs be like? What about the man whose door the Sheriff's Office was about to knock on? He was unaware of the raid that was about to occur in his backyard. Despite all of our planning, unknown variables were at play.
First stop was the Sheriff's Office in Laurens County, which is in central Georgia. Starting with information from a tip line, authorities had uncovered clues that led them to believe they needed to intervene and investigate.
The plan was this: The sheriff would drive to the property to execute the search warrant for particular objects generally associated with dogfighting, and for the dogs themselves.
Expressing concerns about the conditions at this private residence where dogs were suspected of being bred for dogfighting, Laurens County Sheriff Bill Harrell said, "If anything is going wrong, we want to get it stopped."
Private investigators with Norred and Associates Inc. will work alongside Harrell and his deputies, leading tactical teams. The teams were made up of veteran investigators donating their time, effort and expertise, along with volunteers of the Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society, who would collect and care for the dogs.
(The Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society: can be contacted at 478-272-5341. Norred & Associates Dog Fighting tip line is 1-877-215-2250. A reward of $5,000 is offered for information.)
All of the team members had experience with animals, particularly pit bulls. Based on information from the tip line, they were starting the day prepared to find as many as 60 dogs chained up in the woods behind one man's house in East Dublin, Georgia. These men and women waited, braced for battle -- only the war they were waging was on animal cruelty.
"I want to thank everybody for coming. It's for a good thing. It's for the dogs." Chuck Simmons, a private investigator and former police chief, was mapping out the search area on a dry erase board.
He was warning his crew about snakes, water from recent rains and nonsocialized dogs. After loading up crates on several trucks, everyone headed out. With the address of the raid location in hand, our crew joined a convoy of half a dozen cars down several rural roads to our final location. We arrived at a one-story ranch house with several acres of grounds.
The sheriff beat us there. He and his deputies were already roping off this man's front yard with yellow crime tape. Rollin Monta "Monty" Loyd, the property owner, appeared furious. As the teams moved into the woods behind his home, our crew was stuck in front and across the street.
We could not go on the property to get the shots we wanted, because that would be trespassing. We couldn't see the dogs, but we could hear them. The private investigators, who were part of the raid, videotaped the operation.
Half an hour into the raid, reports began to come in. The good news: The dogs were still there; news of the raid hadn't leaked. The bad news: There weren't 60 dogs, as anticipated; there were more. The final count was 97.
Most of the dogs were pit bull terriers; many were puppies. They were found cowering in cages or chained. Some older dogs were scarred -- possible signs of fighting, investigators said. Others were malnourished, simply skin and bone.
Their conditions were atrocious, according to Terry Wolf of the Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society. "Their chains are too short to reach shelter, those who have shelter. The water that they have seems to be recent rainwater with algae in it, and I've seen no food bowls. Most of them are very timid," Wolf said. "They seem to be human-friendly, but they're attention starved, and they're definitely not socialized. You can tell they've been living hidden in the woods, out of sight."
Irene Sumner, director of the Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society, talked through tears, overcome before the count had been completed.
She told us about a puppy found dead and tossed aside into a used plastic bag. "I wouldn't do that to anybody. How can they -- what do you need 80-plus dogs for? There's no reason for it. It would be totally different if it was a kennel situation where they were housed, fed, vetted, all of the above. We don't know all of the information on that yet, but you can visually see that that's not the case here," Sumner said.
The Sheriff's Office says no evidence of dogfighting or training was found on the property, but veterinarians will examine the dogs for any physical signs of fighting. Test results will take several days.
As volunteers continued to count dogs and buzzards circled overhead, property owner Loyd waited out front with members of his family. He was angry.
CNN tried to speak to him, to give him a chance to tell his side of the story. He didn't want to talk. Instead, he shouted to go see his lawyer. When reached, Loyd's attorney said: "My client has not participated in dogfighting and is not charged with dogfighting."
Loyd was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Neighbors and family members whom CNN spoke with came to his defense, saying Loyd loved the dogs and they were bred to be pets.
The founder and CEO of the private investigation firm heading up this raid isn't buying it. Since the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick's dogfighting ring, Greg Norred has been donating his firm's time and expertise and his own money to rescuing dogs.
"I'm an animal lover. I've always been an animal lover. And in the wake of the Michael Vick case, I always thought there might be something I could do about animal cruelty, and with the type of business that I'm in and the resources that I have, it seems like dogfighting is the best vehicle that I can use to do something about animal cruelty."
In the past two years, Norred's team has volunteered for at least 16 raids. They've helped put 20 people behind bars and saved 200 dogs. Make that almost 300 after this most recent raid.
Several hours into the raid, the first group of dogs was transported from the woods to an undisclosed location. A CNN crew was allowed to go but could shoot only from inside this building.
Investigators feared that if there were any identifiable marks outside the property, someone might recognize it and steal the dogs. Authorities couldn't take that chance. But they did allow video of some of the dogs from inside the cages. They had taken many puppies, which looked helpless.
Volunteers feared one puppy wouldn't make it through the night. The next step for these dogs is to determine which ones are healthy enough to possibly be adopted. Some, sadly, won't share that fate. They'll have to be put down.
Please cross post and send to media:.Sent by: Humane Association of Georgia, Inc. A statewide coalition of humane societies, animal control and rescue groups and individuals.
Sent by: Humane Assoc. of GA (HAGA) A statewide coalition of humane societies, animal control and rescue groups and individuals.
There is a CNN video that goes with the story. You can view it here -- http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/20/georgia.dog.raid/index.html#cnnSTCText. Don't worry, it's not a dogfighting video, just the raid.
Georgia Alert from CNN on 10-15-09: Authorities raided a residence in Laurens County, Georgia, and found dogs scarred and malnourished
Anatomy of a raid to rescue dogs allegedly bred to fight From Brooke Baldwin and Susan Brown CNN
LAURENS COUNTY, Georgia (CNN) -- It was 8 a.m. October 15. Our CNN crew had been up for a while, waiting. We still didn't have an address.
My producer, Susan Brown, and I had several questions: What would the living conditions of these dogs be like? What about the man whose door the Sheriff's Office was about to knock on? He was unaware of the raid that was about to occur in his backyard. Despite all of our planning, unknown variables were at play.
First stop was the Sheriff's Office in Laurens County, which is in central Georgia. Starting with information from a tip line, authorities had uncovered clues that led them to believe they needed to intervene and investigate.
The plan was this: The sheriff would drive to the property to execute the search warrant for particular objects generally associated with dogfighting, and for the dogs themselves.
Expressing concerns about the conditions at this private residence where dogs were suspected of being bred for dogfighting, Laurens County Sheriff Bill Harrell said, "If anything is going wrong, we want to get it stopped."
Private investigators with Norred and Associates Inc. will work alongside Harrell and his deputies, leading tactical teams. The teams were made up of veteran investigators donating their time, effort and expertise, along with volunteers of the Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society, who would collect and care for the dogs.
(The Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society: can be contacted at 478-272-5341. Norred & Associates Dog Fighting tip line is 1-877-215-2250. A reward of $5,000 is offered for information.)
All of the team members had experience with animals, particularly pit bulls. Based on information from the tip line, they were starting the day prepared to find as many as 60 dogs chained up in the woods behind one man's house in East Dublin, Georgia. These men and women waited, braced for battle -- only the war they were waging was on animal cruelty.
"I want to thank everybody for coming. It's for a good thing. It's for the dogs." Chuck Simmons, a private investigator and former police chief, was mapping out the search area on a dry erase board.
He was warning his crew about snakes, water from recent rains and nonsocialized dogs. After loading up crates on several trucks, everyone headed out. With the address of the raid location in hand, our crew joined a convoy of half a dozen cars down several rural roads to our final location. We arrived at a one-story ranch house with several acres of grounds.
The sheriff beat us there. He and his deputies were already roping off this man's front yard with yellow crime tape. Rollin Monta "Monty" Loyd, the property owner, appeared furious. As the teams moved into the woods behind his home, our crew was stuck in front and across the street.
We could not go on the property to get the shots we wanted, because that would be trespassing. We couldn't see the dogs, but we could hear them. The private investigators, who were part of the raid, videotaped the operation.
Half an hour into the raid, reports began to come in. The good news: The dogs were still there; news of the raid hadn't leaked. The bad news: There weren't 60 dogs, as anticipated; there were more. The final count was 97.
Most of the dogs were pit bull terriers; many were puppies. They were found cowering in cages or chained. Some older dogs were scarred -- possible signs of fighting, investigators said. Others were malnourished, simply skin and bone.
Their conditions were atrocious, according to Terry Wolf of the Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society. "Their chains are too short to reach shelter, those who have shelter. The water that they have seems to be recent rainwater with algae in it, and I've seen no food bowls. Most of them are very timid," Wolf said. "They seem to be human-friendly, but they're attention starved, and they're definitely not socialized. You can tell they've been living hidden in the woods, out of sight."
Irene Sumner, director of the Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society, talked through tears, overcome before the count had been completed.
She told us about a puppy found dead and tossed aside into a used plastic bag. "I wouldn't do that to anybody. How can they -- what do you need 80-plus dogs for? There's no reason for it. It would be totally different if it was a kennel situation where they were housed, fed, vetted, all of the above. We don't know all of the information on that yet, but you can visually see that that's not the case here," Sumner said.
The Sheriff's Office says no evidence of dogfighting or training was found on the property, but veterinarians will examine the dogs for any physical signs of fighting. Test results will take several days.
As volunteers continued to count dogs and buzzards circled overhead, property owner Loyd waited out front with members of his family. He was angry.
CNN tried to speak to him, to give him a chance to tell his side of the story. He didn't want to talk. Instead, he shouted to go see his lawyer. When reached, Loyd's attorney said: "My client has not participated in dogfighting and is not charged with dogfighting."
Loyd was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Neighbors and family members whom CNN spoke with came to his defense, saying Loyd loved the dogs and they were bred to be pets.
The founder and CEO of the private investigation firm heading up this raid isn't buying it. Since the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick's dogfighting ring, Greg Norred has been donating his firm's time and expertise and his own money to rescuing dogs.
"I'm an animal lover. I've always been an animal lover. And in the wake of the Michael Vick case, I always thought there might be something I could do about animal cruelty, and with the type of business that I'm in and the resources that I have, it seems like dogfighting is the best vehicle that I can use to do something about animal cruelty."
In the past two years, Norred's team has volunteered for at least 16 raids. They've helped put 20 people behind bars and saved 200 dogs. Make that almost 300 after this most recent raid.
Several hours into the raid, the first group of dogs was transported from the woods to an undisclosed location. A CNN crew was allowed to go but could shoot only from inside this building.
Investigators feared that if there were any identifiable marks outside the property, someone might recognize it and steal the dogs. Authorities couldn't take that chance. But they did allow video of some of the dogs from inside the cages. They had taken many puppies, which looked helpless.
Volunteers feared one puppy wouldn't make it through the night. The next step for these dogs is to determine which ones are healthy enough to possibly be adopted. Some, sadly, won't share that fate. They'll have to be put down.
Please cross post and send to media:.Sent by: Humane Association of Georgia, Inc. A statewide coalition of humane societies, animal control and rescue groups and individuals.
Sent by: Humane Assoc. of GA (HAGA) A statewide coalition of humane societies, animal control and rescue groups and individuals.
There is a CNN video that goes with the story. You can view it here -- http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/10/20/georgia.dog.raid/index.html#cnnSTCText. Don't worry, it's not a dogfighting video, just the raid.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Pee Puppy, Votes & Vick
We could not believe our eyes when we saw this upside down pee artist. This little guy's bladder holds more than our Sam's!
If this video doesn't play for you, click here.
We hope you will visit the next sites in a new tab or window so you don't forget to come back. :)
Vote for Merci for Cutest Dog Contest. She needs your daily vote. We thought she lost last week by a few hundred votes, but it turns out it was more like several thousand votes. Some of these dogs evidently have a fan club. Click on this direct link to her voting page.
http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=194291465301F78C17ECD3F5BA4AB250
And don't forget to vote for our friend Miss Peach in the rubber stamp contest. She is #113 and also #131.
Coats for Cubs: Donate Your Old Furs to Wildlife. We were not aware of this part of HSUS until Evelyn sent us a link. It sure would be a wonderful thing for anyone to do who has inherited a fur coat. We say "inherited" because we know furry lovers would not purchase a fur coat of their own. http://www.hsus.org/furfree/campaigns/c4c/index.html
Michael Vick opinions abound. We recommend one written by veterinarian Dolittler, "To Vick After 60 Minutes."
And if you missed our story on the Lakewood cats, click here. Perhaps you can help.
If this video doesn't play for you, click here.
We hope you will visit the next sites in a new tab or window so you don't forget to come back. :)
Vote for Merci for Cutest Dog Contest. She needs your daily vote. We thought she lost last week by a few hundred votes, but it turns out it was more like several thousand votes. Some of these dogs evidently have a fan club. Click on this direct link to her voting page.
http://www.cutestdogcompetition.com/vote.cfm?h=194291465301F78C17ECD3F5BA4AB250
And don't forget to vote for our friend Miss Peach in the rubber stamp contest. She is #113 and also #131.
Coats for Cubs: Donate Your Old Furs to Wildlife. We were not aware of this part of HSUS until Evelyn sent us a link. It sure would be a wonderful thing for anyone to do who has inherited a fur coat. We say "inherited" because we know furry lovers would not purchase a fur coat of their own. http://www.hsus.org/furfree/campaigns/c4c/index.html
Michael Vick opinions abound. We recommend one written by veterinarian Dolittler, "To Vick After 60 Minutes."
And if you missed our story on the Lakewood cats, click here. Perhaps you can help.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Trunking
We were stunned and shaken to receive an email yesterday with information on a deviation from dogfighting in a pit or on the street. We just can not fathom the cruelty of those humans whose humanity has died.
We're not going to beat around the bush or hide it. We're going to publicize it so that those of you who are not presently cognizant of this will become aware and report it if you ever suspect the next blasting music you hear to be a cover-up for this type of horror.
It's called trunking. And you can undoubtedly guess what that means. Two dogs, generally fighting pit bulls, are closed inside the trunk of a car. The music is turned up to cover the sounds of the fight. The car will either remain stationary or be driven around until the fight is over. After 15 to 30 minutes, the trunk is opened.
The dead or dying loser is tossed aside and the winner -- well, what does he "win"? His injuries are undoubtedly never treated. But eventually, if he survives a few more trunkings, he might end up in the pit with big money bet on him. After all, he has a reputation now.
We found a news video with several law enforcement officers being interviewed on the subject. It is worth a few minutes of your time to watch it. For the dogs. They need us to be informed and alert to help them whenever and however we can.
The next time you hear loud music, listen closely. And if you hear or suspect dogfighting, notice as much as possible about the scene. Then call your local authorities with whatever information you could safely gather: make of the car, license number, description of those involved, the location, date and time of the incident, etc.
We're not going to beat around the bush or hide it. We're going to publicize it so that those of you who are not presently cognizant of this will become aware and report it if you ever suspect the next blasting music you hear to be a cover-up for this type of horror.
It's called trunking. And you can undoubtedly guess what that means. Two dogs, generally fighting pit bulls, are closed inside the trunk of a car. The music is turned up to cover the sounds of the fight. The car will either remain stationary or be driven around until the fight is over. After 15 to 30 minutes, the trunk is opened.
The dead or dying loser is tossed aside and the winner -- well, what does he "win"? His injuries are undoubtedly never treated. But eventually, if he survives a few more trunkings, he might end up in the pit with big money bet on him. After all, he has a reputation now.
We found a news video with several law enforcement officers being interviewed on the subject. It is worth a few minutes of your time to watch it. For the dogs. They need us to be informed and alert to help them whenever and however we can.
The next time you hear loud music, listen closely. And if you hear or suspect dogfighting, notice as much as possible about the scene. Then call your local authorities with whatever information you could safely gather: make of the car, license number, description of those involved, the location, date and time of the incident, etc.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Dogfighting And Cat Quirks
We are watching and waiting to see how well the stronger dogfighting law in Georgia works. It is now a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell a dog for the purpose of dogfighting in Georgia. The law also covers those who bet on or advertise and promote events that include dogfights, and it makes attending a dogfighting event a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature.
This is an excerpt from Jan's July Paws for Pets newspaper column for the local Humane Society. Dogfighting Tip Line: The Madison County Sheriff’s Office, acting on information provided to the Humane Society of the United States through their tip line, raided Shake Down Kennels on July 3, just 2 days after the new dogfighting law went into effect. The HSUS offers up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting. If you suspect or have knowledge of dogfighting, call the tip line at 877-TIP-HSUS.
And today, July 17, more good news. The Appalachian Circuit District Attorney's office raided Mountain Swamp Kennels in Blue Ridge, about 70 miles north of Atlanta. This raid was also the result of a tip on the HSUS 877 tip line.
This is a significant case, as its outcome could have a profound effect on several coveted dogfighting bloodlines. You can read about it here.
Buddy, Merci & Samaritan want to comment: Way to go, Georgia! If you know of or suspect dogfighting, call the HSUS 877 # for the tip line. Let's work together to kick some dogfighters' butts!
**********************************
We've been tagged by Felix, Garfield & Jawsy the Mach Cats to do an unspectacular quirks meme. Hmmm. This sounds like it is right up our alley. And since there are 6 kitties here, we doggies will let them each have one turn.
The rules: Link to the one who tagged you. List the rules on your blog. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours. Tag some blogger friends with links. Leave a comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.
Crystal: 1) I like to beat on the closest window when Jan is trying to sleep.
Cotton: 2) I like my bed on top of the fridge so I can throw up down.
Cyndi: 3) When Jan serves us anything other than crunchies, I like to eat mine from a bowl on the kitchen chair.
Percy: 4) I don't let Jan clip all my nails each time. Just some of them.
Cameron: 5) I don't like fish very much.
Rusty: 6) I don't let Jan clip my nails at all.
JFF: No fair, Rusty! You don't have any nails on your front feet!
Rusty: Okay. I'm having a little trouble thinking of a quirk. How about, I like to sharpen the claws I don't have on the wall.
Because it drives Jan up the wall.
Let's see, who can we tag? We're not sure who's already done this one. How about Rocky & Bear, River, Deetz, Skeeter, LC, and Ayla, and the Island Cats.
This is an excerpt from Jan's July Paws for Pets newspaper column for the local Humane Society. Dogfighting Tip Line: The Madison County Sheriff’s Office, acting on information provided to the Humane Society of the United States through their tip line, raided Shake Down Kennels on July 3, just 2 days after the new dogfighting law went into effect. The HSUS offers up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting. If you suspect or have knowledge of dogfighting, call the tip line at 877-TIP-HSUS.
And today, July 17, more good news. The Appalachian Circuit District Attorney's office raided Mountain Swamp Kennels in Blue Ridge, about 70 miles north of Atlanta. This raid was also the result of a tip on the HSUS 877 tip line.
This is a significant case, as its outcome could have a profound effect on several coveted dogfighting bloodlines. You can read about it here.
Buddy, Merci & Samaritan want to comment: Way to go, Georgia! If you know of or suspect dogfighting, call the HSUS 877 # for the tip line. Let's work together to kick some dogfighters' butts!
**********************************
We've been tagged by Felix, Garfield & Jawsy the Mach Cats to do an unspectacular quirks meme. Hmmm. This sounds like it is right up our alley. And since there are 6 kitties here, we doggies will let them each have one turn.
The rules: Link to the one who tagged you. List the rules on your blog. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours. Tag some blogger friends with links. Leave a comment on their blog to let them know they've been tagged.
Crystal: 1) I like to beat on the closest window when Jan is trying to sleep.
Cotton: 2) I like my bed on top of the fridge so I can throw up down.
Cyndi: 3) When Jan serves us anything other than crunchies, I like to eat mine from a bowl on the kitchen chair.
Percy: 4) I don't let Jan clip all my nails each time. Just some of them.
Cameron: 5) I don't like fish very much.
Rusty: 6) I don't let Jan clip my nails at all.
JFF: No fair, Rusty! You don't have any nails on your front feet!
Rusty: Okay. I'm having a little trouble thinking of a quirk. How about, I like to sharpen the claws I don't have on the wall.
Because it drives Jan up the wall.
Let's see, who can we tag? We're not sure who's already done this one. How about Rocky & Bear, River, Deetz, Skeeter, LC, and Ayla, and the Island Cats.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Venice, Vick, and PETA
Opus and Roscoe just sent us a group photo from Venice. That's Percy in the big black hat on the left. With all those cats and woofies packed in the gondola, it might be a good thing a well-muscled, professional gondolier and not Momo is steering.Photo by Opus & Roscoe.
**************************
Delilah over at Dr. Tweety's had a possible seizure the other day but the good news today is that she appears to be doing fine now. The humans are wondering if she could have had an allergic reaction to a yellow jacket. Jan has been stung by yellow jackets and she says those little things have venom!
***************************
Rascal is feeling better, even though he is on chemo now. We hope he doesn't have any problems with the treatments.
**************************
Bruno just got the cone off his head from the surgery to remove the tumor on his leg and before the test results are back about whether it was cancerous, they have found 2 more.
**************************
We have some awards and a meme to post but things keep coming up. Do you know anyone who would like to buy this Quarterhorse that's for sale? You have to click on him to animate him, but he's very fast and a real bargain at half price.
**************************
We just have to speak on Michael Vick this morning. For those who don't live in the US, he was the Atlanta Falcons football hero who fell hard and heavy after being indicted on charges related to running a dogfighting operation.
We're not into sports but we do know something on the subject of abuse. And Michael Vick is an admitted abuser of pit bulls he owned and paid others to train to fight.
He is currently serving a 23 month sentence in a no prison bars minimum-security barracks-style atmosphere with low-key inmates. (Compare this to the "prison life" he gave his pit bulls.) This sentence can be reduced by up to a year if he completes a drug rehabilitation program. He is looking forward to resuming his football career before too much longer. Some of his dogs, -those that survived - are serving a life sentence of canine-style psychological problems from the abuse they suffered at his hands.
Thankfully, only one of those rescued was deemed dangerous to humans and euthanized and the rest were evaluated and are now in rescue groups and foster care. Eventually, some will be put up for adoption and the rest will be cared for the rest of their natural lives.
But are you aware that Vick and his employees are responsible for pulling out all 42 of the teeth of one female pit bull? Her tongue hangs out of her mouth because her jaw was broken and healed awkwardly. She is covered with puncture scars and was obviously repeatedly force bred. The rest have lived through hell too, but this one most likely suffered the worst of the abuse.
So what did we read in the news this morning, but that when Vick gets out he must "divorce himself from the posse." In other words, his downfall was his "posse."
Excuse us but baloney! (We just made Buddy and Samaritan hungry.) Vick is responsible for his own downfall. And for his own lies. Plus, Vick was the one with unlimited funds to support Bad Newz Kennels and even we animals know the man with the money calls the shots. Vick was not a poor dumb pawn in the clutches of the "posse." He led the posse. And they all got off way too easy.
So we don't care how many millions Vick is losing while in prison. What we care about are the dogs he is responsible - in person or through his agents - for abusing and sometimes killing. Vick needs a change of heart and he isn't going to find it with people defending his actions because he is a big sports "star."
*************************************
As we have mentioned before, we are not fond of PETA, even though it sends people undercover to investigate allegations of abuse. Their own hands-on "shelter rescue" tactics leave so much to be desired, we prefer to let this article titled "Reclassify PETA as a Slaughterhouse" speak for us.
**************************Delilah over at Dr. Tweety's had a possible seizure the other day but the good news today is that she appears to be doing fine now. The humans are wondering if she could have had an allergic reaction to a yellow jacket. Jan has been stung by yellow jackets and she says those little things have venom!
***************************
Rascal is feeling better, even though he is on chemo now. We hope he doesn't have any problems with the treatments.
**************************
Bruno just got the cone off his head from the surgery to remove the tumor on his leg and before the test results are back about whether it was cancerous, they have found 2 more.
**************************
We have some awards and a meme to post but things keep coming up. Do you know anyone who would like to buy this Quarterhorse that's for sale? You have to click on him to animate him, but he's very fast and a real bargain at half price.
**************************
We just have to speak on Michael Vick this morning. For those who don't live in the US, he was the Atlanta Falcons football hero who fell hard and heavy after being indicted on charges related to running a dogfighting operation.
We're not into sports but we do know something on the subject of abuse. And Michael Vick is an admitted abuser of pit bulls he owned and paid others to train to fight.
He is currently serving a 23 month sentence in a no prison bars minimum-security barracks-style atmosphere with low-key inmates. (Compare this to the "prison life" he gave his pit bulls.) This sentence can be reduced by up to a year if he completes a drug rehabilitation program. He is looking forward to resuming his football career before too much longer. Some of his dogs, -those that survived - are serving a life sentence of canine-style psychological problems from the abuse they suffered at his hands.
Thankfully, only one of those rescued was deemed dangerous to humans and euthanized and the rest were evaluated and are now in rescue groups and foster care. Eventually, some will be put up for adoption and the rest will be cared for the rest of their natural lives.
But are you aware that Vick and his employees are responsible for pulling out all 42 of the teeth of one female pit bull? Her tongue hangs out of her mouth because her jaw was broken and healed awkwardly. She is covered with puncture scars and was obviously repeatedly force bred. The rest have lived through hell too, but this one most likely suffered the worst of the abuse.
So what did we read in the news this morning, but that when Vick gets out he must "divorce himself from the posse." In other words, his downfall was his "posse."
Excuse us but baloney! (We just made Buddy and Samaritan hungry.) Vick is responsible for his own downfall. And for his own lies. Plus, Vick was the one with unlimited funds to support Bad Newz Kennels and even we animals know the man with the money calls the shots. Vick was not a poor dumb pawn in the clutches of the "posse." He led the posse. And they all got off way too easy.
So we don't care how many millions Vick is losing while in prison. What we care about are the dogs he is responsible - in person or through his agents - for abusing and sometimes killing. Vick needs a change of heart and he isn't going to find it with people defending his actions because he is a big sports "star."
*************************************
As we have mentioned before, we are not fond of PETA, even though it sends people undercover to investigate allegations of abuse. Their own hands-on "shelter rescue" tactics leave so much to be desired, we prefer to let this article titled "Reclassify PETA as a Slaughterhouse" speak for us.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Presidential Candidates
Now, why would a group of dogs and cats be writing about Presidential candidates, especially since we just posted one on Ron Paul? We're glad you asked.
Michael Markarian of Humane Society Legislative Fund has a more recent post on the Presidential Candidates, which we find quite intriguing and would like to share.
In his January 9, 2008 article, "Speak Out for Animals this Primary Season," Markarian suggests voters call the campaign offices and ask where the candidates stand on animal issues. He has a link to help with the phone numbers. Email addresses are also provided. Humane treatment of animals is important. Let the candidates know that!
As many of you have already read in various news reports, Mike Huckabee has a lousy record on protecting animals. You can find information on various sites on the web or click here.
We're dogs & cats, so we can't vote for President of the United States. You - the voters, the pet owners, the animal advocates - are our voice.
Jan's friend Bill sent her this message and we hope he won't mind if we borrow it.
"I find in my studies of people how they feel and do for animals will let you know how they really feel about things and people. If they don't have a heart and feelings about animals and other things God made, they will be found to only have heart and feelings for special ones who happen to be in the same boat as they are floating in."
To read the article on speaking out for animals, click here.
Michael Markarian of Humane Society Legislative Fund has a more recent post on the Presidential Candidates, which we find quite intriguing and would like to share.
In his January 9, 2008 article, "Speak Out for Animals this Primary Season," Markarian suggests voters call the campaign offices and ask where the candidates stand on animal issues. He has a link to help with the phone numbers. Email addresses are also provided. Humane treatment of animals is important. Let the candidates know that!
As many of you have already read in various news reports, Mike Huckabee has a lousy record on protecting animals. You can find information on various sites on the web or click here.
We're dogs & cats, so we can't vote for President of the United States. You - the voters, the pet owners, the animal advocates - are our voice.
Jan's friend Bill sent her this message and we hope he won't mind if we borrow it.
"I find in my studies of people how they feel and do for animals will let you know how they really feel about things and people. If they don't have a heart and feelings about animals and other things God made, they will be found to only have heart and feelings for special ones who happen to be in the same boat as they are floating in."
To read the article on speaking out for animals, click here.
Ron Paul And Michael Vick
On the Humane Society Legislative Fund blog Animals & Politics, there is a December 26, 2007 article titled, "The Presidential Files: Ron Paul and Michael Vick" by Michael Markarian, President of the HSLF. Until Jan received an email on the article today, we weren't even aware there is such a site, and many of you probably never heard of it either. But it sure is an interesting site if you're an animal (that would certainly include us) or a human who loves animals (that would be Jan).
We are anti-dogfighting! Anti-dogfights, cockfights, "hog-dog rodeos," or any other type of animal cruelty. So we immediately noticed this comment:
"He (Ron Paul) voted in March to keep the federal penalties weak for dogfighting and cockfighting, providing some great pocket protection for would-be Michael Vicks."
We weren't pleased about this either, "But they (animal advocates) may not know about his terrible record in Congress—driven by an attitude that the federal government (and perhaps local or state government, too) should not play a role in protecting animals from cruelty."
What, we would like to know, is wrong with protecting animals from cruelty?
You can read the entire article here.
We are anti-dogfighting! Anti-dogfights, cockfights, "hog-dog rodeos," or any other type of animal cruelty. So we immediately noticed this comment:
"He (Ron Paul) voted in March to keep the federal penalties weak for dogfighting and cockfighting, providing some great pocket protection for would-be Michael Vicks."
We weren't pleased about this either, "But they (animal advocates) may not know about his terrible record in Congress—driven by an attitude that the federal government (and perhaps local or state government, too) should not play a role in protecting animals from cruelty."
What, we would like to know, is wrong with protecting animals from cruelty?
You can read the entire article here.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Farming Michael Vick Continued
Buddy stands on his hind legs, fumbles in the dark for the correct key and locks the front door. He stops at the porch steps and surveys his motley crew already in position in Jan’s car, which is parked parallel to the porch with both drivers’ side doors ajar. Since this is a clandestine adventure, he is glad the overhead light isn’t working.
Standing on two driving cushions with both front paws on the steering wheel is Percy, his favorite partner in mischief. Samaritan sits in the passenger seat with Cameron in the middle, holding a flashlight so he can read the map he printed off the internet and give Percy directions. On the floor in front of Percy sits Rusty.
Buddy gently closes Percy’s door, then climbs into the back seat and quietly closes that door. “Move over, Merci. You’re sitting in my seat.”
Merci moves. “You can have it. I’m not sure I want to see where we’re going on this trip.”
Buddy settles into the middle of the seat where he has a clear range of view between the front seat headrests. “We have Michael Vick’s address. You all know your roles. Our goal is to farm Michael Vick the dogfighter and be home within the half hour. Ready, Percy? Here are the keys, Cameron.”
He drops the keys over the seat. Cameron, already regretting having volunteered for this trip, takes a deep breath, inserts the correct key in the ignition and turns it. The engine roars to life.
“Rusty, I told you not to give it any gas until we’re ready to roll,” Buddy barks in a muffled but stern tone.
“I’m sorry, Buddy. I accidentally hit the gas pedal when I tried to get in position. There isn’t much room down here for a cat my size.”
Buddy tilts his head and listens. “What’s that noise?”
“That must be the loose belt noise Jan mentioned to her brother Mr. Doug,” Merci says. “It should stop in a minute. Yes, it’s quiet now.”
Percy, looking through the windshield, asks, “How am I supposed to see where I’m going? A couple of cars have passed here and they have lights on. Do we have lights?”
“Of course we have lights,” Buddy says confidently. “But we don’t need them. We can see in the dark.”
Merci is doubtful. “Yes, we can see in the dark. But don’t you think we’ll be a slightly noticeable if we drive a car this late at night without lights?”
“You have a point, Merci. We don’t want to look conspicuous. Percy, turn on the lights.”
“Okay. Where are they?”
“I don’t have any idea. I know, Cameron, when we get on the highway, you shine the flashlight out the windshield. That way no one will notice the car doesn’t have any lights.” He settles into his favorite riding pose, front legs lolling on the back of the front seat between the head rests, leaning on his left elbow. “All right, Cameron, which way do we go?”
Cameron switches on the flashlight and looks at the map and his notes. “Left, we go left.”
“We can’t go left,” Percy complains. “We’ll run over the house.”
“We will? Oh, yes, we will. Sorry, I had the map sideways. We go down the lawn, over the curb, and then turn left.”
Percy tries to move the gear shift out of “P” with one paw. It isn’t as easy as he thought it would be.
“Samaritan, we need to go forward. Will you switch gears for me?”
“Sure,” Samaritan says agreeably. He reaches one long leg in front of Cameron and with little apparent effort moves the gearshift.
The car begins to roll slowly backward. “Get off the gas pedal, Rusty!” Buddy commands. “We’re going the wrong way.”
“I’m not touching the gas pedal.”
“Hit the brake!” Merci cries. She drops to the seat and covers both eyes with her paws. “We’re going to crash.”
“I’m standing on the brake but we’re still moving,” Rusty answers. “I need help.”
Buddy orders, “Cameron, help Rusty.”
Cameron drops the flashlight and map. He dives to the floor and adds his weight on the brake to help Rusty. The car continues to roll slowly in reverse.
“I’ll save us!” Samaritan calls, as he steps on Cameron’s papers and drops to the floor. His large frame barely fits into the floor space. His back feet are crammed against the passenger door. He easily reaches one front paw out to stomp the brake pedal. The car stops with its rear wheels touching the edge of the curb. A fraction of an inch more and the car would have dropped heavily to the street.
“Ow-w-w-w, get off my foot,” Rusty yells. “Get off my foot too,” Cameron hollers, “and get your nails out of my ear.”
“Sh-h-h-h-h,” Buddy demands. “You’re going to wake up the neighbors. We’ll get arrested before we even leave the property.”
Merci sits up and peeks carefully around the headrest in front of her, then turns her head to look behind them. “It’s a good thing we live on a corner or we’d have run over a few cars. Buddy, are you sure this is a good idea? I’m only here to call for help if you guys get arrested. I don’t want to die young.”
“Don’t worry,” Buddy says confidently, “no one is going to die young on this trip. But we need to hurry or we won’t get back before Jan wakes up. Samaritan, you must have shifted into ‘backward’ gear. Shift into ‘straight ahead’ gear, will you?”
“I can’t,” Samaritan says from his uncomfortable position stretched over the hump in the floor. “If I take my paw off Rusty’s and Cameron’s, we’ll start moving again. You’ll have to switch gears yourself.”
Buddy stretches forward but can’t quite leverage the gear shift. “Merci,” he orders, “climb into the front seat and shift into ‘straight ahead’ gear.”
“No way am I sitting in the middle of the front seat. That’s the death seat. You do it.”
“Somebody do it!” Rusty and Cameron holler in unison.
Buddy grumbles. “All right, but I’m supposed to be in charge here, saving my strength for the surgery.” He slides over the seat and peers intently at the gearshift. “I don’t see anything marked ‘straight ahead.’ I see a ‘D.’ You think that means ‘down the road?’”
“Try it,” Percy suggests. “Samaritan is crushing these guys’ paws.”
Buddy pushes the gearshift down until it reaches ‘”D.” “You guys take your paws off the brake and let’s see what happens.”
Samaritan yelps and the car races forward. Merci drops to the seat and covers both eyes with her paws.
“Hit the brake,” Buddy yells. “Hit the brake,” Percy yells. “Let me out!” Merci screams.
The car stops with a jolt. There is total silence for a minute.
“Are we still alive?” Merci asks quietly.
“I think so,” Percy says. “But I’m not sure we’re going to be when Jan finds out about this.”
Buddy asks, “Who’s going to tell her?”
Percy turns to glare at Buddy. “You mean you think she’ll notice?”
Samaritan complains, “Someone help me. I’m stuck down here. There isn’t enough room for me to move.”
“Why should we help you?” Percy complains. “You hit the gas and made us crash.”
“It wasn’t my fault. Cameron bit my ear. That hurt!”
Cameron climbs over Samaritan and onto the seat next to Buddy. “I told him to get his nails out of my ear. He had one paw mashing my face and the other squishing my paw.” He weighs over 50 pounds, his paws are huge, and his nails need to be cut.” He sticks a paw in his ear. “See, I’m bleeding. If any of you were in my position, you would’ve bitten him too.”
Rusty huddles near the door, licking his brake paw. “Look at how swollen my paw is. I might be handicapped for life.”
“I’m sorry for stamping on your paws,” Samaritan apologizes, “but it was an emergency. I saved our lives.”
“Yes, you did,” Buddy agrees. “Thanks, Samaritan.” He looks in the rear view mirror but the headrest blocks his view of Merci. “Merci, you can sit up now. We’re home.”
Buddy moves the gearshift back to “P”, removes the keys from the ignition, reaches past Percy and opens the driver’s door. “I guess we might as well check on the damage to Jan’s car.”
Percy leaps out. Buddy moves across the seat and drops to the ground. Cameron gathers his map and the flashlight and follows, crying out in pain when his sore paw touches the ground. Buddy lifts Rusty out by the scruff of the neck and lowers him gently to the ground, where he stands on three feet, favoring his swollen paw. Merci slides over the front seat and jumps out. Samaritan wiggles and groans in the narrow space, but slowly maneuvers his large body out the open door.
Buddy quietly closes the door and they all stare at the front end of the car, wedged tightly between the bushes in front of the porch. “Wow,” Cameron says, in awe, “that was terrific driving, Percy. You missed the house.”
“Do you think Jan might think she parked it this way herself?” Percy asks, his tone hopeful.
Merci shakes her head. “Jan doesn’t drink, and as bad as her memory is getting, she wouldn’t forget something like this. But I’m not going to be the one to tell her who did this. I’m going to bed and in the morning I’m going to pretend I know nothing about this accident.”
“Me too,” Buddy agrees. “It’s too late to farm Michael Vick tonight. We might as well go inside and rest up for tomorrow night.”
“What happens tomorrow night?” Cameron asks.
“We’re going to go farm Michael Vick,” Buddy explains.
“Oh, no, we won’t!” the group choruses, as they march up the porch steps, with Rusty and Cameron limping slowly in the rear.
“Why not?” Buddy wants to know. “Tonight was just a minor setback. Now that we’ve practiced, tomorrow night will go smoothly.”
“Of course it will,” Samaritan concedes. “Tomorrow night we’re staying home and watching TV.”
Posted by Samaritan, Funny Farm driving hero
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Farming Michael Vick
Farming Michael Vick
Merci awakens from a sound sleep in the kitchen, looking around for the source of the strange sound. She hears the thunk as Samaritan’s fifty pounds hit the floor in the bedroom. She shakes her head. Samaritan’s been sleeping on Jan’s bed again. They meet in the living room and follow the low rumble to Jan’s typing chair at the computer desk where Buddy sits, glaring at the computer monitor, growling and grinding his teeth.
“Buddy, is something wrong?” Merci asks quietly.
“Huh?” Buddy shakes his head in momentary confusion at the interruption. “No. Yes! I was just reading another story on some guy named Michael Vick.”
“Well, if he makes you growl and grind your teeth, maybe you should stop reading about him,” Samaritan, well aware of Buddy’s love of food, suggests. “If you grind down your teeth while you’re still young, Jan will have to grind up your food when you’re older.”
“I can’t help it. These stories make me so angry. Here’s a guy making boohoos of money –“
Cotton, lounging on top of a printer, snorts and interrupts, “Boohoos? I think you mean beau·coups.”
“I do? I wish you would stop reading the dictionary. You confuse me when you correct my English. Anyway, he makes lots and lots of money playing football, a sport where grown men are called strange things, like ‘The Refrigerator.’ I’d probably like that guy. We could raid the fridge and pig out together. Well, not here. We’d have to go somewhere there’s actually food in the fridge, unless Jan breaks down and buys some good eats, like pork chops and bacon.”
“I thought you were going to tell us about this Michael Vick. Instead, as usual, you start talking about food.”
“I’m getting there, Merci. I just got sidetracked for a moment. Where was I?”
“Sitting on the typing chair,” Samaritan tells Buddy.
“Oh, right. I was reading this news article where some guy named Stephon Marbury defends Vick. He calls dogfighting a sport - like hunting. A sport? Do these dogs have a million dollar a year contract? Retirement benefits? A comfortable bed? That’s what Michael Vick had. But his dogs were treated like cardboard throwaways. It’s bloody torture, not a sport!”
Samaritan opens his mouth to speak, but Buddy continues, his voice rising. “No! Guys without hearts abuse these dogs and teach them to tear into one another and fight to the death for their amusement. And when they lose, they are often “rewarded” with a painful, violent death. How could a mentally healthy human commit such atrocities and call it “sport”? They can’t! They’re psychopaths, all of them, I tell you, psychopaths, and I –“
Merci interrupts him, quietly but firmly. “Buddy, calm down. Your eyes are glazing over. You’re all upset and there is nothing you can do about it.”
Buddy looks down at her from the typing chair and bellows, “Yes, there is something I can do about it! I can farm him! But I can’t do it alone. I need help to capture Vick and operate. Who will volunteer to help me?”
Samaritan looks puzzled. “It’s a long story,” Cotton explains, from atop the printer. “It was before your time. When you get a chance, read “Buddy Is Farmed” in the Funny Farm journal.”
“You guys are my friends. I’ll go with you,” Percy volunteers. He stops at the typing chair, on his way back from the litter pan. “I’ll hold him down while you operate, Buddy! We’ll teach him to be mean to dogs.”
Samaritan, not realizing just what Buddy intends to do, but not wanting to be left out, volunteers too. Merci sighs. “I guess I better go with you in case you get in any trouble and someone has to call Jan to bail you all out of the pound.”
“Great. I appreciate your support, guys.”
“Where do we find him?” Percy asks.
“I don’t know yet. Somewhere. We can probably find him on the internet. You can find anything on the internet.”
Samaritan has a question. “Is he local? He has to be local because we’re walking.”
Buddy waves a paw. “No problem. We’ll just get a map and borrow Jan’s car while she sleeps.”
“No!” Merci is adamant. “You never did get your driver’s license, Buddy, and I’m not riding with one lawbreaker to farm another.”
“That’s just a technicality.”
“Buddy, maybe you better go back and review “The Driving Lesson.” You are a terrible driver even without the engine running.”
Percy resolves the problem. “Never mind. I’ll drive. I learned to type without taking a typing course. How hard can driving a car be?”
“No, Percy –“
“Merci, we don’t have time to argue. We have lots to do before we can hit the road”
Merci mumbles, “Yes, I’m sure ‘hit’ is the correct word.”
“Samaritan, find Jan’s dullest pair of scissors, a used razor blade, a needle and thread, and a bottle of alcohol. Percy, you pack some drinks and snacks. It will probably take us at least 20 minutes to get there, take care of everything and return home. Jan will never know we are gone.”
“Are you sure the four of us can hold this Vick guy down and operate without anesthetic?”
Buddy stops snapping orders for a moment. “Yes, Samaritan, we can. He’s a sick man and we’re doing this for all the bait animals he used to train his dogs, and all the dogs, fighters and non-fighters, he tortured and killed.”
Buddy sits taller and straighter in the typing chair. “And then,” he thunders, “we’re going after Stephon Marbury and all the others who think dogfighting is sport. If farming doesn’t stop them, we’ll –“
“Buddy, what is all the racket about this time?” Jan demands as she enters the room, fresh from a long, cool shower.
Buddy climbs down from the chair. “Nothing,” he mumbles, “just planning some surgery without a license.”
Jan glances at the monitor screen. “That’s funny. I thought I closed the browser before I took a shower. Sometimes I think you guys play with the computer when I’m not around. Next, I guess you’ll be driving the car. I don’t remember reading this article. It’s just another piece to stir up controversy. But sometimes I wish someone would teach Vick and all these psychopaths a lesson they’d never forget!”
Buddy grins. “Don’t worry. We will.”
Posted by Buddy, Journalist and Farmer
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