Pit Bull Evaluation

With overwhelming public concern in the fate of the dogs seized from Michael Vick’s Surry County, Va., property, we want you to have information on the upcoming evaluations of the dogs, as well as the nature of assistance we are providing to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, CAAB, executive vice president, National Programs, and science advisor for the ASPCA, will be leading a team of several other certified applied animal behaviorists (trained animal behavior experts who have been certified by the Animal Behavior Society) in conducting behavior evaluations of the pit bulls seized during the course of the investigation.

As part of this process, BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls), a San Francisco-based non profit organization that is an educational resource for pit bull owners and the shelters that house them, will be working with the ASPCA-led team to help identify dogs whocan be absorbed into experienced foster programs for further observation and possible re-homing into appropriate homes—one of several possible outcomes for these dogs.

“We greatly appreciate the trust placed in us by the USDA to ensure that these dogs are given every opportunity to have a second chance, and take this phase of the investigation very seriously,” said Ed Sayres, ASPCA president and CEO. “Fighting dogs obviously face a lot of challenges when considered for rehabilitation or placement but we will make sure they get the professional, thorough and detailed evaluations that they deserve.”

Said Donna Reynolds, BAD RAP executive director, “We’ve seen time and time again that by pooling resources, we can get more accomplished for animals. We’re honored to be a part of the ASPCA’s team effort and look forward to giving our best to the dogs. After all they’ve been through, they certainly deserve a fair trial.”

The ASPCA-led evaluation team will conduct several tests on these dogs, including their response to humans and other dogs, as well as their general reactivity and comfort with being handled. No further details on the specifics of these tests can be released at this time.

Once the evaluations are completed, the ASPCA will provide a final report to the USDA, which will contain the team’s collective recommendations to the USDA on the disposition of the dogs. Other than possible re-homing into appropriate foster homes, recommendation options may include rehabilitation as law enforcement dogs, placement in sanctuaries (which will need to meet USDA facility standards), or euthanasia. However, euthanasia is not the only recommendation or option that will be considered, as has been reported in some media accounts—the results of the evaluations will determine what those recommendations are. No dogs will be placed in private homes at this time. All placements will be made with, and through, experienced rescue, foster and sanctuary groups.

The USDA will review the report, and then pass on its recommendations to a federal court. However, much like the sentencing of a defendant, the final disposition of the dogs will be decided by a federal judge. At no time will the ASPCA take possession of the dogs; they will remain property of the federal government until their disposition has been determined by the government.

For more information on the ASPCA, or to learn more about staying alert to animal cruelty, please visit www.aspca.org/cruelty.

UPDATE: August 29 - The New York Times reports on our role in the investigation.

Letter From our President, Ed Sayres

Update: 10/23/07
The letter is closed. Thank you for your involvement.

We've created a thank you letter that's super simple for you to send--thank NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Inspector General, USDA, for strong and decisive action against Michael Vick.

Click here to send your thank you letter.

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Read on to see what our President, Ed Sayres, has to say:

Dear ASPCA Members and Supporters:

With Michael Vick today appearing in federal court to file his plea in the federal dog fighting case that has been pending since July, I wanted to let you know directly that today we revealed our role in the federal investigation: ASPCA Forensic Veterinarian, Dr. Melinda Merck, participated in the excavation of the graves, and examination of the remains.

It has been an honor for the ASPCA to assist federal authorities in this case. We are also extremely proud to be working with the National Football League to raise public awareness of the humane treatment of animals. The NFL took strong, swift and decisive action against Michael Vick on Friday by suspending him indefinitely without pay.

Please join the ASPCA in sending a message of support to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Office of the Inspector General, USDA, letting them know that their efforts are not going unnoticed.

We continue to assist this case by leading a team of animal behavior experts in evaluating the dogs seized from Vick’s property earlier this year. Please visit www.aspca.org/cruelty often for updates.

Thank you very much for your support of the ASPCA—it is that which enables us to pursue our 141-year old mission, which is as crucial today as when we were founded all those years ago—to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Every day, we come one step closer to being a humane community. We could not do it without you.

Sincerely,

Ed Sayres
ASPCA, President

ASPCA Applauds Strong and Swift NFL Response to Michael Vick’s Guilty Plea

ASPCA Press Release

NEW YORK—The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) today applauded NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s strong and decisive action in suspending Michael Vick without pay, effective immediately, from the League. Vick will be appearing in a federal court in Richmond, Va., on Monday to file his plea agreement in the federal dog fighting case against him.

Said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, “Right from the outset, we knew the Commissioner was taking this case extremely seriously—and respected the fact that he was proceeding appropriately by commissioning an independent investigation into the case.”

In a strongly worded letter to Vick, the Commissioner today called his admitted conduct “not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible.”

“The Commissioner’s extremely strong and swift response today to Michael Vick’s guilty plea is no less than what we expected, and reinforces how seriously he takes not just the integrity of the League, but his expectations of how animals should be treated in a humane society. The ASPCA is proud to be associated with the National Football League as its animal welfare partner, and we will continue to raise public awareness on the humane treatment of animals together.”

For more information on the ASPCA, or to learn more about staying alert to animal cruelty, please visit www.aspca.org/cruelty.

Possible Poisonings at Chelsea Waterside Dog Park

Dog moms and dads in NYC, we thought we’d share this info with you. Here’s a snippet of a letter written by Robert Marino of NYCdog.org:

Animal owners in Chelsea are worried after some dogs got sick in a nearby popular park. According to a doctor, symptoms seem to suggest the dogs were drugged. Hazel Sanchez reports: CBS VIDEO REPORT.

This incident at Chelsea Waterside Dog Park (11th avenue and W 22nd st.) should serve as a warning to all of our groups to be watchful at your local park. If you spot suspicious activity report it, use your cell phone camera to take a photo, get the attention of other dog owners nearby, and, most of all, be mindful of your dog. Watch for items left on the ground. If strangers appear to be feeding dogs, intervene. Do not challenge anyone, but do not sit back silently.

Sitting in a dog park reading, talking on your cell or just chatting with others while ignoring your dog is dangerous–and irresponsible to boot.

Robert A. Marino (Bob)
president
NYCdog.org

ASPCA Responds to Vick Plea

Responding to breaking news that NFL quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a plea agreement in his federal dog fighting case, the ASPCA today applauded the thorough and speedy federal investigation into this case by the U. S. Attorney’s office and the USDA.

“Though dog fighting has been prevalent in this country for more than a century, it was only towards the end of the 20^th century that it started to be regarded as a crime in the eyes of the law,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres, “which makes the strong federal investigation of this case all the more remarkable.

“As an organization that supports law enforcement efforts against animal cruelty in several ways—from having our own Humane Law Enforcement department in New York, to contributing to the education and training of law enforcement and judicial officers around the country in prosecuting animal cruelty—we salute the U. S. Attorney’s office and the USDA in their dedication to pursuing this case. It sends a clear message to those engaged in animal cruelty—that these acts are barbaric and unacceptable in a humane community.”

A little more than one month after Michael Vick and three other co-defendants pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities (“Travel Act”), and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture, in violation of federal law, they have all reversed their pleas, with Vick being the last to follow suit—a stunning reversal of events.

The ASPCA has been assisting in the federal investigation of this case; at this time it still cannot offer any additional details in order to protect the integrity of this investigation and the ongoing criminal process.

For more information on the ASPCA, or to learn more about staying alert to animal cruelty, please visit www.aspca.org/cruelty.