Chance the Bait Dog

Chance's Pet Pardons photo

A few days ago, a dog from the Mobile, Alabama animal shelter was posted on Pet Pardons. 

This wasn't just any shelter dog... this was a severely injured bait dog.

Most people aren't aware that bait dogs even exist. So, I'll provide a brief explanation... for those of you asking: "What is a bait dog?" 

Bait dogs are the most heartbreaking casualty of dog fighting. Basically, the name says it all... these dogs are used as bait... in order to train the fighter dogs how to fight... and kill. 

In the early stages of fight training, bait dogs become the prey. With every defense mechanism stripped away, they're rendered completely helpless. Their mouths are taped shut, their legs are bound, and their bodies are restrained. Then, they're thrown into a ring with another dog... who has been trained to kill them. 

Chance at the vet

What most people don't realize is that the "fighter dogs" are only fighting... because their lives depend on it. If they refuse to fight, or if they lose a fight, there will be consequences. They may be beaten. They may be killed. Or they may... become the bait. 

Many bait dogs are former fighters, who resisted training or lost in battle. Resistance isn't tolerated. Losers are disposable. And so... the fighters fight... to live another day.  

Chance's head

While the bait dogs... can only hope to die today... 

Many bait dogs die in the ring. And those are the lucky ones. Because for as long as a bait dog is able to survive the attacks... they'll be subjected to the same mind-numbing torture, over and over and over again. 

Often, their limbs hang from their bodies. Their ears are torn off. Their entire snouts are ripped from their faces. Do they receive vet care? No. Are they given pain meds? No. What about compassion? No.

So, if they survive the attack, the pain still isn't over. Survivors are often dumped... to later end up on death row at the animal shelter. For the others, their bleeding bodies will be thrown into a tiny cage, or a small dog kennel, or onto a short chain. They're never fed... because they aren't valued. They're attacked, mutilated... and then starved and neglected. It's the saddest existence I can imagine. 

The most heartbreaking part about their reality is this: these precious, tortured souls would gladly endure the unimaginable physical agony... if they could just hear "I love you," when it was over.  

But bait dogs will never hear "I love you." They will never experience compassion. They will never know a life without agonizing pain, immense hunger, and complete and total despair. 

Unless... we save them.

I thought the Vet's name was ironic

Meet Chance.

Chance has lived his entire life as a bait dog... live bait. He's known more pain in his short time here on Earth... than we could ever imagine in our worst nightmares. And honestly, he shouldn't even be alive today. 

His existence has been confined to a chain, within a tiny dog kennel-- a cage of torture. Each day, he was taken from that cage, thrown into a ring of horrors, and viciously mauled. Then... he was thrown back on the chain... and left to bleed to death. They wanted him dead.

But Chance didn't die. He continued to survive...
Only... to end up on death row at the animal shelter. 

Chance & I

That's when Chance was posted on Pet Pardons. Shortly thereafter, I got a call from my friend and fellow Pet Pardons Co-Founder, Chris. He said, "I sent you a link. Severely injured bait dog. Death row. Urgent. He needs you." 

As I opened my mouth to say, "Chris, of course I want to help, but I just don't have room. Maybe we can find someone else to take him..." Chris said, "Just open the link and call me back." Then, he hung up. 

I clicked the link... knowing that my heart was about to break... but I wasn't quite prepared for what I was about to see. Because when the page loaded... I saw Riley. My Riley. My own dog, who was also saved from a dog fighting ring. Of course, it wasn't really Riley, but the dog in the picture could be his twin. Chris had obviously realized that... in sending this particular link to me. 


I stared at my screen... and tears filled my eyes. Right in front of me, was the sad reality... that so easily could've been my Riley's... if he hadn't been saved. I saw what Riley could've been... without me.  

I began to sob, knowing that this dog had survived a lifetime of torture... only to die in an animal shelter. Almost no one would be willing to take a dog in that condition... a former bait dog. No one... but me.

I quickly made a call to an amazing animal rescue friend in the Mobile area, SouthBARK... and with their wonderful help, Chance became a Lucky Dog. Today, he was transported from Alabama to me in Mississippi... to join the ranks of the Lucky. Today... Chance got a second chance.

Love.

I won't lie to you. It won't be an easy road for Chance. The pain of his past is written all over his face, with an unbelievable number of old scars and fresh wounds covering his entire body. He has 2 drainage tubes coming from his head, to reduce the swelling; he's severely emaciated, and he's in constant physical agony.

But I'm more concerned with his heart... with replacing the betrayal and despair with trust and hope. That process started today... and his joy upon arrival was nothing short of incredible.

Because today... for the first time, Chance heard the words, "I love you." And today... for the first time in his life... he got to say, "I love you back."

*Chance will need a lot of vet care on his road to recovery. Please click the link below to help Chance heal.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE FOR CHANCE! 

Chance was saved BECAUSE OF PET PARDONS! We saved another one, y'all!

Noah the Bait Dog Update

Noah, the former bait dog, is doing so much better. He’s been neutered, vaccinated, and dewormed. He tested heartworm positive, so he began his heartworm treatment this week. Due to the need to stay calm during treatment, Noah can’t play as much as he’d like right now, but he’s still enjoying all the love and attention.

Noah was placed on antibiotics for the severe infections that resulted from his baiting wounds. When he first arrived at Lucky Dog Rescue, Noah’s poor little head was swollen to nearly twice its normal size. The swelling has gone down dramatically, so the vet was able to better examine the issues with Noah’s nose. It turns out that the bite wounds went all the way through Noah’s face, puncturing and crushing his nasal cavity. Once the remaining facial swelling goes down, the vet will attempt to surgically repair the damage to Noah’s nasal passages.

Despite his unimaginable pain, Noah has the sweetest, most loving spirit in the world. He loves to be right by my side, no matter what I’m doing. His favorite thing to do is to place his entire body in my lap and heavily pant right in my face while I’m working on the computer. If you’re ever talking to me on facebook chat and I don’t respond for a while—or if you see about four hundred typos in my messages—now you know why.

His second favorite thing to do is run from couch to couch in the living room. He runs, runs, runs, as fast as he can… jumps up on one couch full-speed… then bounces right off and runs, runs, runs to the other couch to do the same thing. One day, I even watched him skid across the coffee table on his way to the other couch… as he figured out that going OVER the table instead of around it ... was not only more fun for him, but also more time efficient. He plays this couch-running-game for about an hour, loving every minute of it. When he’s done, he’s so proud of himself… smiling and panting, with his head held high. For now, we’ve had to put a stop to the marathon running while he undergoes heartworm treatment, but he still tries to sneak it in every now and then, that little stinker.

He also loves fun toys. He likes to drag them under the coffee table, for chewing purposes. Sure, laying on the couch is fun and all, but there’s nothing like a coffee table “fort.” I found my phone charger in his “fort” the other day, chewed down to electronic confetti. Noah apologized, bought me a new charger, and it hasn’t happened again since. He’s such a good boy!

Noah’s smile gets me every time. When he looks up at me, with those innocent little eyes and that big, precious grin… my heart melts. I can only imagine that he’s never had a reason to smile in his whole life. Now, he smiles every day. And in return… I smile too.

When I saw Noah’s shelter photo a few weeks ago, I felt an intense anger in my soul… a severe hatred for the humans that did this to him. Noah was able to replace my resentment with joy and forgiveness. One day, Noah and I were talking…. and as I rubbed the deep scars on his face, I could feel the anger welling up inside my body. With tears in my eyes, I said: “Baby boy, I’m soo sorry. I hate those people for what they did to you. I hate them.” Noah looked up at me, and with an innocence that melted my heart, his eyes said, “If I can forgive these people for what they’ve done to me, then why can’t you?” He was right. I kissed him on the head, and said, “I love you, Noah, and I forgive them.” That’s one of the many lessons Noah’s taught me.

In a few weeks, Noah will complete all of his treatments, and he’ll be ready to find his forever home. My heart breaks every time I think of letting him go… I just love him so much. But on his adoption day, Noah’s lifelong wish of having a loving family of his own will come true… and I’ll know that I gave that to him. It seems so insignificant compared to all he’s given to me, but for him… it will mean everything.

Until then… I’ll watch him grow. I’ll help him heal. I’ll teach him... and learn from him. And I’ll love him with my whole heart. Each day with Noah is precious... as we create the memories that I’ll treasure for the rest of my life. I try to appreciate every second I have with him, because I know he won’t be mine forever. And when the time comes… I’ll let him go. Not because I don’t love him. But simply because... I do.

Click here to read my original blog about Noah’s rescue story.

If you are interested in adopting Noah, please fill out the online Adoption Application: http://www.petpardons.com/adoption/

CLICK TO DONATE TO LUCKY DOG RESCUE!

Noah, The Bait Dog

 

In dogfighting, baiting is the act of pitting a potential fighting dog against a defenseless animal, often another dog—a bait dog. Bait dogs are used to test a "game" dog’s fighting instinct... and to further train them to fight in the ring.

To render bait dogs helpless, their teeth and nails are often filed or removed, and their mouths are duct taped shut. Then, they are restrained to further impair them... as a fighter dog is instructed to attack. During the baiting process, bait dogs are horrendously mauled and killed. Those who survive each attack receive no treatment for their wounds, which can include loss of their ears, eyes, snouts, and limbs. Many survivors are subjected to the same baiting torture, every single day, for as long as they live. Others are dumped to suffer slow, painful deaths.

 Often, bait dogs are obtained from “Free to a good home” ads, animal shelters, and Craigslist. Others may be stolen from your backyard. In addition, many of the “weak” or submissive Pit Bulls— those with the sweetest dispositions—are deemed worthless by dogfighters… and turned into bait dogs. Then, the nightmare begins…

For these dogs, their gentle nature is used against them; their friendly demeanor is exploited; their loving spirits are purposely broken. Their smiles are duct taped shut; their joy is snuffed out; and their desire for affection is denied. Their hopes, dreams, and love are stolen… and replaced with terror, pain, and heartbreak. Their innocence is stripped away, layer by layer, until they have nothing left...

The lucky ones die in the ring. The others can only pray for such mercy…

Ultimately, the purity in their hearts... will be their greatest downfall… the very cause of their suffering and torturous deaths. Sadly, their unwillingness to fight... won't save them from the fighting. It will only ensure... that they are always the losers. Always.

In order to survive this level of torture, these dogs must retreat to a place deep inside themselves… and hide. In turn, they completely shut down… because the physical pain has wounded their hearts… and the emotional pain has wounded their souls.

Bait dogs are dead… long before they die…

But…
If you save them…
They can come back to life…

Noah’s Story

Noah has been a bait dog almost all of his life. Last week, in Macon, Georgia, witnesses saw a group of thugs dump a lifeless little dog in the street... and speed away. That dog (who I later named Noah) was completely emaciated, with severe, painful wounds covering his entire body... which led to massive, widespread infections. His eyes were swollen shut, and his head was swollen to more than twice its normal size.

Onlookers were horrified at this scene... assuming that this poor dog must be dead. There’s just no way that a dog in this condition could still be alive...

But then… this gentle, broken boy... slowly lifted his swollen head off the pavement, to show that he was still among the living.
A tiny, heartbreaking whimper said, “Please help me.”

Noah was picked up by Animal Control and taken to the local pound. When he arrived, he was utterly terrified… a feeling he knows all too well. As they led him into the shelter, my amazing rescue friend, Myshea of ARC HS, saw him… battered, wounded, and broken. As he passed by, she reached for him, and despite his fear and pain, he gently licked her hand.

Myshea began to sob, because she knew his fate all too well: Ater surviving a lifetime of abuse... this little boy had arrived at the one place... where he'd have no chance of survival: the pound. Dogs like Noah are not placed up for adoption at the pound. They are killed. Immediately.

Regardless, Myshea began treating his wounds... and showing him love for the first time in his life. In that moment, she made a promise to herself that she'd find help for this baby… and she made a promise to him that he wouldn’t die there. So, the pound gave her until the next morning to find rescue for him, or he would be killed.

Myshea called me in tears, and told me his story. Then, she said: "Ash, I know you already do so much... but this dog needs you. He’s so gentle; he’s so loving; he’s so forgiving. He deserves to live... and he shouldn’t die there. We can’t let him die there!”

That’s when I said: “He won’t die there. Call the pound tomorrow morning and tell them not to euthanize. I’ll take him.”

The next morning, Myshea made the call that would save Noah’s life. Then, ARC HS pulled this sweet boy from the pound, on behalf of Lucky Dog Rescue. Next, two amazing volunteers, Lucia and Carla, transported him to Meridian, Mississippi.

When he arrived... he walked right into my arms… and fell into my heart...

I named him: Noah.

That night, I watched… as Noah laid down, closed his eyes... and breathed a huge sigh of relief. Then… he drifted off to sleep.

I can only imagine it's the first time he’d ever felt safe ...in his whole life.

 

When he woke... he looked around the room… with uncertainty of his new reality. 

As his eyes found me, a huge smile spread across his face. At that moment... I saw the years of terror, pain, and heartbreak... leaving his little body.

Knowing in his soul... that the nightmare was finally over.
But the dream… has just begun…

 

Noah is currently being treated for his wounds, infections, and heartworms. He will also be neutered, dewormed, and fully vaccinated.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE FOR NOAH!

When Noah is feeling better, he will be placed up for adoption through Lucky Dog Rescue. If you are interested in adopting Noah, please fill out the online Adoption Application: http://www.petpardons.com/adoption/

My Dog, Riley

When Rudy died, I was an absolute wreck. The tragic, unexpected loss of my baby was almost too much to bear. During that time, I'd replay his little life over and over again in my head… sobbing uncontrollably. I was paralyzed by my pain, by the realization that I came home to find my little boy... dead, at 3 years old. I never even got to say goodbye...

Two days after his death, I logged onto facebook. At the top of my homepage was a dog that looked so much like my Rudy… and I lost it. My heart immediately fell in love with this precious boy, but my head said, “No, Ashley. Absolutely not. It’s too soon.” The dog was later adopted by another family, but even still, I thought about him every day… somehow knowing he was mine, even though he belonged to someone else. I often kicked myself for not immediately saying, “I want him!”
But I just tried to move on…

A couple of months later, fate stepped in. A ridiculous breed ban in his county placed this dog back up for adoption. I could hardly believe it. I contacted my dear friend (his foster mom) and finally said what I’d been waiting to say for months: “I want him.” She said, “Ash, I’ve always wanted you to have him; I was just waiting for you to be ready. He’s your’s. He's always been your’s.”

And so, I adopted Riley... also known as my heart. Riley has brought more joy into my life than I thought possible after Rudy's death. He's simply incredible… he loves everyone and everything… all dogs, all people, and all activities. But most of all, he loves me. He’s just awesome, in every single way. And there's no doubt in my mind --or anyone else's-- that's he's exactly where he was always meant to be.

But Riley’s life began much differently… his early months were a living nightmare… and he honestly shouldn’t be alive today…

Riley’s Story

My Riley was rescued from a dogfighting ring. At 5 months old, some evil dogfighters placed Riley in the ring, and tried to fight him.

But my Riley, the little angel that he is, is not a fighter. He was utterly terrified… and he refused to fight. Instead, he’d just lie there, curled up in the fetal position, as the other dogs attacked him.

While it sickens and pains me beyond words to envision my scared little baby being viciously attacked by others --others who were simply following the rules-- that’s not the most heartbreaking part of this story.

As noble and precious as it is when a dog refuses to harm others in the ring, the consequences are unimaginable…

If you don’t know much about dogfighting, one of two things happens to the dogs like Riley who refuse to fight:

1)     They are used as bait dogs… meaning the “bait” used to train other dogs to fight. Their teeth are filed or pulled out, their mouths are duct taped shut, and their nails are filed down, until there’s nothing left. Then --with no defense mechanisms-- they’re thrown in the ring—often restrained to further impair them—as other dogs are trained to viciously attack…and kill… them.

Bait dog saved byTri-County Animal Rescue

Bait dogs can only hope for death in the ring… because the ones who survive each attack are forced to endure the same baiting torture, day after day, for as long as they live. Following each brutal fight, they are given no vet care for their wounds, and no medication for the severe pain. Often, their faces are torn off; their ears are hanging from their heads; their eyes are swollen shut; their limbs are falling off. They're rarely fed—if ever, they're given zero attention, and they're confined to a tiny, feces-filled cage, or a short chain with no shelter. Bait dogs live the saddest existence I can imagine.

Dogs like Riley aren't the only ones used as bait. Dogfighters scan “FREE TO A GOOD HOME” ads, animal shelters, and Craigslist for bait dogs. They also steal them from your backyard. Training usually begins with small dogs, puppies, cats, or rabbits. Then, as the training progresses, the bait moves up in size.

If you think you could easily identify a dogfighter asking for your “free” dog, THINK AGAIN. Many police officers, athletes, and wealthy individuals are involved in dogfighting. This is a MONEY sport… these people don’t always appear to be the scum they are, and they’ve certainly learned how to play the “I’m a good home” card to get your free dog for bait. 

The life of a bait dog was Riley’s first option.

2)     If option 1 isn’t selected, dogfighters go with option 2: Shoot the dog on-site.

Well, that’s what happens to the lucky ones at least. Some are used for sadistic pleasure before they are killed… subjected to unspeakable torture and abuse. The dogs are body slammed, beaten to death, hung, electrocuted, set on fire, and/or drowned… as the dogfighters laugh at their suffering.

Death was Riley’s second option.

I think about my Riley… my precious little angel… at 5 months old, left with those 2 options: Unimaginable torture every day of his life, or being shot to death. For Riley, they chose Option 2: shoot him.

Before attempting to kill him, they first tortured Riley by shooting him repeatedly with a BB gun, as he cried out in agony. My vet would later find the BBs lodged throughout his body. I can only imagine his terror and pain, as he was shot over and over again. He probably wished for death… which was just the plan they had for him…

But my Riley is one of the luckiest pups alive. On this particular day—the day meant to be Riley’s last—an undercover informant was present at the dogfight. And while the other dogfighters were distracted, the informant risked his own life to save Riley’s. He snuck Riley out the side door and got him to safety…

Photo by Wayne Rawson Photography

I will forever be indebted to the courageous hero who saved my baby’s life. Riley was set to die that day, but instead… my Riley lives.

And he lives... with me.

I was broken, and Riley saved me… in every way that a person can be saved. To put it quite simply: I was dead, and Riley brought me back to life…

CLICK TO DONATE TO LUCKY DOG RESCUE!