Vick Dog Gets a Second Chance, Shares With Cancer Patients

June 18, 2008

“He was a little like a caveman at a tea party. . . He didn’t have a lot of training." That's how Leo's new owner described this pooch rescued from Michael Vick's Bad Newz Kennel. Like many of the dogs rescued from the horrific conditions, Leo's spending time with a special trainer to determine his placeability as a pet. Living with Marthina McClay, president of Our Pack, an advocacy group for pit bulls in Los Gatos, Calif, see what he's up to now in this video.

Boy, is he a success! After successfully completing five weeks of intensive training, he now shares his joy for life with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at nearby Camino Infusion Center.

11 Comments

MissSushi 4 years

pits arent normally people aggressive, they are very animal aggressive, and more so now due to how the trash have been breeding them. Neglect, abuse, inbreeeding, you name it, has contributed to aggression towards humans. I have lived so many places in so cal, la, riverside, etc, that glorify pit fighting. I cant tell you how many times ive seen people flat out beat their animals in broad daylight to get them to attack other dogs. The cops werent very interested, honestly, sometimes they came, sometimes they said they would "look into it" and you can imagine how that went. Ive owned severa pits, and will in the future! I love them, so sweet and loyal. I hate people for the dispicable filth they do

melizzle 5 years

Yay for positive pitty press! :)

Bebeshopper 5 years

Leo is so handsome. May he (and all the other victims of these idiots) have a truly wonderful life from now on. I truly hope that Michael Vick continues to reap what he has sown all his life . . . misery. Some people are too dangerous to be let "off leash", and I think he and his brother are a good example of that. I'd rather be in a roomful of pit bulls than the two of them any day.

kitandkaboodle 5 years

What an inspiring story!

bellydancinmary 5 years

I love this story! I'm very happy that dog got a second chance at life.

Aphrosette 5 years

I love this story, I have to say I've seen it a few times now between newscasts and here on petsugar and I can't watch it (or write about it!) without tears coming to my eyes. It is just such a beautiful story about someone who was willing to give a dog a second chance. I know from personal experience just how difficult it is to rehab an aggressive dog (let alone a fight trained dog) and I am filled with respect and admiration for the trainer and what she has done for this pooch. I hope that one day I will have the time, patience, and energy to attempt to rescue a dog with similar needs.

Angelica 5 years

This is a really great story. It's nice to know animals can be rehabilitated like that.

kristyrk 5 years

I LOVE this story!!! Thanks, Pet!

Rally RE 5 years

i think this story is great. pits have a bad rap because they have been bred to increase their viciousness. it's nice to see a happy story - especially since this pup would have been put down. however, i keep thinking that this dog has been given an enormous amount of freedom to be around people after only 5 weeks of training. i'd be afraid he'd suddenly lash out. i try to be impartial to pits but after watching one zoom down my block and attack my dog for no reason it's hard for me to imagine trusting one. i know all dogs are cabable of biting but a pit bite is different - the size of their muzzle, teeth, and their strength. i hope this pit continues to do well because he's bringing happiness to a lot of people.

colormesticky 5 years

Funny, yet sad. How anybody could think it would be better to teach this dog to kill is a mystery to me. I wish terrible things on Vick.

j2e1n9 5 years

What a beautiful dog! Isnt it funny that someone could look at this breed and only see dog fights and $$$ changing hands, and another person can see them as rehabilitation pets and as having quality lives and giving a better quality of life to the patients? Funny how different people can be. ;)

Link Love

11 Comments