In 2007, a dark chapter in the world of animal cruelty came to light when authorities rescued 51 Pit Bulls from the Virginia home of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. These innocent animals had endured unimaginable abuse, subjected to beatings, electrocutions, hangings, drownings, and forced dogfights.
Out of this horrific ordeal, 48 resilient Pit Bulls emerged as survivors, thanks to the dedication of several rescue organizations and their forever families. One of these survivors, Frodo, recently passed away at the age of 15 on December 18th, 2021. Frodo’s journey serves as a testament to resilience, second chances, and the unwavering commitment of those who fight for justice and rehabilitation.
Frodo’s life was a stark contrast to the year he spent in hell at Michael Vick’s compound. Once rescued, he was embraced by a loving family and pampered like a prince for the next 14 years. His passing left a void in the hearts of those who knew and cared for him, particularly BAD RAP, an Oakland-based nonprofit animal protection group that played a pivotal role in advocating for and rehabilitating the Vick dogs.
In a touching Facebook post, BAD RAP bid farewell to Frodo: “To Frodo – We all adored him. He was one of the most valiant survivors we’d ever met.” His passing was peaceful, surrounded by the love of his family, who ensured his final moments were filled with comfort and care.
Frodo’s journey wasn’t just a personal triumph; it became a symbol of hope and resilience for Pit Bulls and dogs with difficult pasts everywhere. BAD RAP, with its extensive experience in working with dogs rescued from dogfighting rings, always believed in the potential for these dogs to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into loving homes.
Frodo’s story dispelled the negative stereotypes associated with Pit Bulls and underscored the transformative power of patience and kindness in a dog’s life. He exemplified the importance of early socialization for dogs rescued from cruelty incidents, showing that with the right environment and loving care, even the most timid and scarred animals can thrive.
Kim Ramirez, Frodo’s adoptive mother, shared insights into his journey, explaining how mechanical sounds and sudden movements used to terrify him. She described the challenges of helping Frodo overcome his past trauma, such as his fear of ceiling fans and microwave popcorn, which likely reminded him of the traumatic events he had witnessed.
Throughout his life, Frodo enjoyed the devoted care of the Ramirez family, who accommodated his needs, including transporting him in a stroller when his legs began to fail. His story was a testament to the healing power of love and the resilience of animals.
Frodo’s passing is a reminder of the enduring legacy of the 48 survivors of Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring. These brave dogs were given the opportunities they deserved, and despite their challenging backgrounds, they lived happy lives, proving that remarkable transformations are possible with compassion and commitment.
While Michael Vick’s actions were reprehensible, the high-profile case did raise awareness about dogfighting and its devastating consequences. It also shifted public perception of Pit Bulls, showcasing their potential for rehabilitation and adoption. Frodo and his fellow survivors are living proof that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is hope for a brighter future.
As we bid farewell to Frodo, we honor his memory and the countless animals who have found their second chance at life through the dedication of animal rights activists and the kindness of loving families. Frodo’s story will continue to inspire us to fight for justice, compassion, and a world where every animal can thrive.
Embark on a mission to rescue the dog afflicted by ear parasites, a condition that has tragically resulted in the loss of his hearing.
The two-year-old dog became lethargic, thin and listless, deteriorating to the point that it was admitted to a pet hospital for a week for a blood transfusion.
“I was really worried about him,” Ms Powell, an enrolled nurse, said.
Testing confirmed Leo had ehrlichiosis, a disease transmitted through bites from brown dog ticks carrying the Ehrlichia canis bacteria.
But what worried the specialists is that Leo lives in the urban Top End, which some experts fear is becoming a new stronghold for a disease spreading like wildfire.
The first Australian case was detected in the Kimberley region of Western Australia in May last year.
By June, cases were rapidly emerging in Katherine in the Northern Territory and the surrounding remote communities.
The Northern Territory government has recorded 370 confirmed cases — 110 in the Darwin and Arnhem Land region, 149 in the Katherine region, 36 in Tennant Creek and in Alice Springs and surrounds, 75.
Experts say countless more have been left undetected in remote communities with little intervention.
“When we finally got to bring him home, [the vets] said he needs to stay inside, he’s at risk of spontaneous bleeding and he might not make it,” Ms Powell said.
“It was very full-on, very emotional.
“There were tears basically every night.”
Until the first cases were discovered just last year, stringent biosecurity controls had kept ehrlichiosis out of Australia.
Experts are still baffled by how the disease got in but, according to Professor Peter Irwin from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University, the disease is now considered “endemic” across the NT.
“Ehrlichiosis is one of the most serious diseases of dogs in my opinion,” he said.
“It makes them very ill, and many dogs can die.
“Once it establishes into a tick population, it’s very difficult to eradicate.”
Common symptoms include lethargy, fever and cloudy eyes, which can be cleared up with antibiotics but, if left untreated, the disease can lead to blindness, uncontrollable bleeding and death.
“The problem with this disease is that dogs travel and spread infected ticks,” Professor Irwin said.
“Dogs that have moved from an endemic area of the community into the city will possibly bring ticks with them, and the ticks can then drop off.
“There have now been dogs with the disease identified in most other capitals, most as a result of travel from the north.”
Doctor Stephen Cutter, the head veterinarian at Darwin’s Ark Animal Hospital, is no stranger to the crippling disease.
He said up to 40 per cent of the dogs are infected in the remote communities of the Top End he visits on rotation.
But in August of last year, he saw his first case in a pet that had not left urban Darwin.
Arielle Giles, a vet at the Darwin Veterinary Hospital, confirmed the disease’s spread to Darwin, saying she had seen six cases in the past three months.
“It’s a devastatingly bad disease and it’s really difficult to treat,” Dr Cutter said.
“It’s basically everywhere and it’s now a matter of living with it.”
Both Professor Irwin and Dr Cutter said keeping ticks at bay is the best way to prevent ehrlichiosis.
“Because the infection is transmitted so quickly from the tick bites, the most important way of protecting your dog is to use a product, such as a collar that kills ticks before they bite,” Professor Irwin said.
It has now been five months since Leo was struck down by the tiny parasite and, while he is still getting regular check-ups and his future is looking brighter, vets can’t give the all-clear.
“Ehrlichiosis is really nasty in that it can stay hidden in the bone marrow for a long period of time,” Dr Cutter said.
Earlier this year, the NT government brought on a new coordinator to transition the NT’s response to the disease from a biosecurity threat to managing the outbreak.
“This disease is a nationally notifiable disease, which means that suspected cases of E.canis need to be reported, and free testing can be carried out on blood samples from suspected dogs,” said the chief vet at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Dr Sue Fitzpatrick.
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