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OAKLAND, CA (USA)
— Two months ago, this pup was languishing
with severe burns over
one quarter of his body, mange over the other three-fourths, intravenous
tubes for antibiotics and painkillers, and could be found clinging to life at an animal
hospital underneath a yellow sign that read:
Feed only after giving morphine.
He will vomit after morphine is given.
Today, little "Theo" plays in
doggie parks every day with other dogs, lives with a cat he loves and—notwithstanding
the atrocities he once endured—loves people. Perhaps that's
because he has learned that no matter how savage some people can be,
there are those who can be equally compassionate and caring.
Back in January, the 19-pound,
three-month-old "Pit Bull" (Staffordshire Terrier) was forced by
three young boys to fight another dog, and after he had won, they threw
flammable material on him and set him afire. The boys then
chased Theo into a vent underneath an apartment building at 1436 71st
Ave. in East Oakland, where part of the building also caught fire,
prompting firefighters to arrive and discover the burned pup (see Scoop
Jan. 31: "California
Courts Beef Up Animal Cruelty Laws (or 'What happened to the guy who stuck
a firecracker in a dog's mouth?' ").
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The much-maligned breed "Pit Bull" is a
favorite among dog-fighters due to its strength, tenacity, and
determination. However, as the American
Temperament Test Society (ATTS) statistically demonstrates,
viciousness is not a trait inherent in the breed (any more than it
is inherent in any animal—humans included—who are raised under
miscreant conditions).
Most Pit Bulls wouldn't hurt a
fly. But they have been known to viciously attack an occasional
bagel that falls on the floor. (Photo: badrap.org)
According to the test
conducted by the ATTS, 82.3% of Pit Bulls refrained from panic and
aggressive responses when subjected to unfamiliar and stressful conditions
(including strangers, gunshots and umbrellas), which is above average for
all dogs tested.
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Editor's note: One of the highest scoring breeds, at 100%, was
listed as the Xoloitzcuintli, which is either a rare, Mayan hairless
dog ...or a type of Italian pasta, I think.
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Today, obviously willing to put the past
behind him, Theo is ready for a new home and a new life. After weeks
of medical and mental rehabilitation, the resilient pooch has been made
available for adoption through hopalong.org,
a volunteer-based group that works with shelters and other rescues in the
Oakland area to find homes for the community's less fortunate animals.
"Rose", the dog who had been
forced to fight with Theo, was not injured in the fight according to
animal control officers; however there was evidence that she had been
kicked in the head. Rosie is currently receiving care from the folks
at badrap.org
where she has proven herself to be "delightful (bouncy!)",
wonderful with children, dog-savvy cats and parrots. (Click her
picture to learn more.)
"The Brave and Enduring Miss Rose"
(Photo: Badrap.org)
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areas, seizing vicious dogs and arresting and/or
educating the people who run dog fights.
It is unclear at this time what the city intends to do with the seized
dogs, and further details of the operation remain somewhat unclear, but
Ericka Harrold, spokesperson for the Mayor's office, told The Scoop
that the fighting issue has been put at the top of the many, many issues
he [the Mayor] has to deal with.
For
more info, contact:
CA Scoop correspondent Kathy
Ryan:
KathyRyan@thedognet.net
Oakland
Mayor Jerry Brown
OfficeoftheMayor@oaklandnet.com
Hopalong Animal Rescue
(510-530-5154):
info@hopalong.org
Badrap.org (Say 'hi' to Rosie):
dawgdays@pacbell.net
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