Before you turn away from yet another Pit Bull story, I would implore you to pause and take an extra moment to read on. Take 5 minutes to read through Phoenix's story and look at the photos in the slide show.
Perhaps reading about Phoenix will offer insight to the acts play out in mainstream media all too often. The stories of attacks that light up the television or flash across the newspaper headlines. Read about the deplorable environment that Phoenix was discovered to be living in. Read about his sad physical condition.
Just $10 and some initiative by a Good Samaritan saved Phoenix from his pathetic life at the end of a heavy chain that was wrapped around a tree. The initiative of a caring dog lover who took it upon herself to contact the police - to visit an unsavory home and to rescue a young dog from his life of torment.
Suzi learned about Phoenix from a friend who drives a school bus in the area that Phoenix lived. The bus driver told Suzi about a dog in the neighborhood that appeared to be abused. Rather than shaking her head and saying "that's such a shame", Suzi took action.
Suzi enlisted the help of the local police because she knew that the neighborhood was rough. Luckily the police were able to convince the owners of the dog to relinquish custody for a mere $10.00. Suzi had brought food along, and the dog eagerly woofed it down. Seeing his gaunt frame, it was apparent that his meals were few and far between.
Malnourishment wasn't his own problem. Phoenix had scars all over his face and body - it appeared that he had been used as a bait dog for dog-fighting. Worse yet - he had miserable open wounds on his bottom. Wounds that developed from being so thin and bony that sitting on the hard ground literally wore away his skin.
Such was the life that Phoenix lead, day in and day out, until he was saved by Suzi. He lived at the end of a chain. Devoid of mental stimulation. Denied clean water and food. Subjected to abuse and never knowing love or affection.
As soon as Suzi freed him from his chained prison, she was able to see what kind of dog Phoenix really was. Phoenix took no time at all to show her that he had plenty of love to share. His beaten body still moved side to side in a happy, "love me" sort've way.
Today, just two short weeks later, Phoenix is well on his road to recovery. This past week, he had surgery to help close the massive open sores on his body and to be neutered. The wounds on his face are healing and his loving spirit remains un-phased, despite the abuses he has suffered. All who have the pleasure of meeting him are greeted by unbridled affection.
So there you have it. Yet another Pit Bull story. It is important to know that so many of these dogs that are feared by many and hated by most, are just like Phoenix. If given the opportunity to break free from their miserable existence, they want nothing more than to have companionship. They want to love and be loved, just like any other dog.
In fact, the people who own Pit Bulls will tell you, again and again, just how incredibly loyal and lovable the breed truly is. The people who love these dogs are insistent that Pit Bulls are one of the most dedicated and affectionate breeds that you can have the pleasure of owning.
The next time that you hear of a rampant Pit Bull attack, remember, ownership is over half of the battle, and too many of these dogs are subjected to a life such as Phoenix was forced to endure. Given the chance, most will blossom like Phoenix.
I was told that Phoenix has met a woman who instantly fell in love with him and that he will be adopted as soon as he is released from the veterinarian's care. Those interested in contributing to Phoenix's medical expenses and/or interested in following his recovery, can do so at this link.
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Comments
Thank you Suzi, you are an angel for what you did!!!
Thanks for not walking away!
Suzi you are an inspiration to everyone! Thank you for making a difference!
Suzie, too many people just comment but are unwilling to take action. Bless you for saving this beautiful boy from a life of hell. Welcome to the rescue community, you are a guardian angle.
While it is clear that the dog was horribly abused, there is a growing trend to claim that pit bulls with scarring are "bait dogs" when attempting to adopt them out or defend the breed. There is no reason to assume that this was a bait animal and not a fighting dog. Bait animals usually don't survive as they are tied up while young dogs are encouraged to savage them. If they do survive, they usually have much more extensive damage. This is much more likely a young dog that was fought with other young dogs and deemed not savage enough. As much as they pull on your the heart strings, it is a dangerous practice to try and "rehabilitate" dogs that have been fought and trained for dog aggression. Rescue and Humane Society money would be much better spent putting these potentially dangerous dogs down humanely and directing resources towards adopting more suitable animals.
thank goodness for people who are strong enough to help save animals like this.
Wonderful job Suzi!! I must also comment that it's equally dangerous to assume that all bully breeds with scarring on them have been raised and trained as fighting dogs. It's just as likely that they've come in contact with another dog they didn't get along with and a fight ensued. I have a pit, a boxer and a saint mix with such reminders from past encounters and I can assure you none of them have ever been purposefully fought. My pit snuggles with my 15 yr old deaf and almost blind boston and allows the boston to groom him for hours on end but does not like other males in his age range. This highlights the need that along with dog companionship comes responsibility and understanding their triggers and limitations as well as loving their virtues. I go to whatever ends necessary to ensure my dogs are safe AND not a threat to other companion animals, even when other dogs are stupidly allowed to run off leash and jump on strange dogs. Typical of his breed, my pit loves all humans:)
Andy, I'm glad you didn't "rescue" Phoenix. Your solution to kill a potentially adoptable animal because of "what-ifs" is hardly logical. As likely as dog fighting, is Phoenix getting attacked by loose dogs. He was chained. He couldn't escape. Claiming he is a fighting dog is unfounded. If you don't know 100% what he was used for, except as a rail-thin lawn ornament, then it seems prudent not to make calls for his execution. And, as we know, there are plenty of former/rescued fighting dogs who are leading happy, long lives free of mass murder. Blows your mind, I know.
To Suzi, good job. Police should have arrested the owner. This is clearly animal neglect and abuse. That his owner made some money off of this dog's suffering, even 10 bucks, sucks (I would have done the same, it still sucks, though).
I wish Phoenix a fast recovery and hope he is sound enough for placement.
Ms. Elms, I'd marry you if I could. FINALLY, someone who ties the horrific abuse cases to a systemic disregard for this wonderful breed. I've been a volunteer at a New York City animal shelter for 2.5 years, and I've walked hundreds of dogs, 80% of them pits. The only bite I have sustained so far came from a scared Lhasa Apso. ;)
This is for Andy and others that have commented he may not have been a bait dog. I do not know for sure however, it appeared his mouth was tied shut and the vet when looking at him thought he was used as a bait dog b/c of his wounds.
As far as rehabing fight dogs, I do not agree with you Andy, many of the Vick dogs were rehabed and some are therapy dogs. Just b/c they were used in fighting does not mean they are not good dogs. I find your statement that they should be put down right up there with how PETA thinks.
This dog is doing great and will go on to live a happy and productive life.
Phoenix had marks on his muzzle that indicated he had his mouth tied shut. The vet also thought he was used as a bait dog b/c of his wounds.
as far as putting a fighting dog down Andy, you are so off base. Most of the Vick dogs got rehabed and some are now therapy dogs.
A dog used for fighting can be a wonderful animal and go on to live a happy and loving life. I do not think putting them down is the answer however that is exactly what PETA thinks and I cant stand that group!
Fighting dog, non-fighting dog blah blah. I've worked with and rehabilitated Pit Bulls for 25 years. In all that time the only dogs I was forced put down were ultra-shy feral strays who received little to no early socialization. Fighting dogs cannot ever be 100% trusted alone with other dogs in my experience, but I'd let my kid play with any of my rehabs any day before I'd let her play with the worst biters in the U.S, need I say the word toy? I can show you video of one of my so- called irredeemable rehab dogs literally crawling around on the floor with my daughter rather than stand up. He seemed upset if he knocked her over and learned on his own to "go low" to play with her. Most of my fully socialized pack wasn't THAT careful.
Educate yourself about the fighting ring as it began and you'll understand the predisposition in Pit Bulls to be the most human-friendly dogs in the U.S. The rules of the pit required a STRANGER to handle your dog during the fight. Think about that.
Suzie I involve myself in the animal abuse crusade everyday. You are a heroe; hands down...nothing else matters well except for Phoenix. May each and every one of your days be filled with joy. I applaud you; I hope you can hear it.
Does anyone know why these people were not prosecuted for animal abuse?? The last thing the police need to be doing is paying people to turn over animals instead of arresting them for animal abuse. If anyone knows why this was handled as it was, please let me know.
The right thing to do would have been to contact animal control and get them involved. The person needs to be prosecuted. Based on the photo of the dog chained to the tree, I guarantee that if this dog were in my city, animal control would've charged the owner with misdemeanor animal cruelty and they would've immediately seized the animal. By rewarding the owner by paying for his dog and not contacting the authorities, this owner will simply get another dog, chain it to the tree and starve it.
As for Katrina's comments that pit bulls are handled by strangers in the dog fighting pit... the problem with her statement is that TRUE dog fighters kill their dogs that do not meet their strict standards - for example, a juvenile that shows aggression to people. They do not want to dilute their dog's bloodlines with sub-standard dogs.
On the other hand, most dog fighters aren't so concerned about bloodlines. They will still sell the pups to make a buck. They don't care if they sell a 'defective' pit pup to some family in the parking lot at Wal-Mart. People then get these pups, which have explosive aggression issues bred into them, and it won't matter if you raise them right. And then the day will come that they break their chain or jump their fence or go into a frenzy over a loud noise on the tv, and anyone or anything in their vicinity will suffer the consequences.
Suzi, I just wish there were a lot more people like you in this world. Thank you.
Thank you Suzi for being such a dog lover and saving yet another of this misunderstood and often mistreated dogs. And thank you to Penny for shedding light on the horrors that often happen to this breed and not just fueling the public's fear of our beloved pitbulls. Cudos to you both!
Andy, I myself HAVE rehabilitated a PIT BULL dog that I rescued and WAS a fighter....WAS the best dog i ever had...May he RIP. You should not speak of something you have not first had experience with first hand. Everyone, including animals are due the right to life. WE as humans are not the deciding factor in the taking of any life!!! to believe so is arrogant and foolish and shows a god complex that is unhealthy! Check yourself.
I started with reading about a dog that was shot six times by his owner when I came upon this story. I don't cry easily although I get heartbroken when I hear or read about animal abuse. But now, I'm sitting her just crying with this story. I can't understand why people can do something like this to an innocent animal. Having been an unloved child I know how this poor dog must have felt.
Suzi, God bless you heart for rescuing this dog. He now can live a life of love, care and kindness! I wish more people would be like you!
As a former state humane officer, I agree with both of Becca's statement above. Pit Bulls can make great pets, but I have seen SEVERAL kill smaller dogs in a second's time, bite children, and attack horses. The way these dogs have been inbred to fight and yes thousands of them have been you must be extra diligent and responsible because you do not ever know what will cause one to turn aggressive......this means ones that for years never showed aggression and snapped. This happens all of the time.
I just want to also add that right now in the U.S. there are more abused pit bulls than any other breed...abuses, euthanized, and dangerous as well as non-aggressive. It seems that most of the people that want pit bulls usually do chain them or put them outside for "protection." Drug dealers use them and neglect them all of the time. The fact that the breed is being used instead of loved is very, very sad.
ANDY:: please do not comment on what you do not understand. My family is currently fostering 6 puppies, who at 3 months old, their "owner" was trying to get them to fight, the one puppy who is very timid, was used as bait because she wouldn't fight. and guess what, she survived. We actually had to save them from a shelter who was going to put them down because of where they came from, even though they are nothing more than happy-go-lucky puppies and passed all the tests. Thankfully, we got them and now they will all get loving homes. MANY fighting pits can be rehabilitated. Of course, there are exceptions, some are just too far gone, but they can be saved. And since almost all dogs in shelters are pits, our money is being well-spent. Do your research.
I glad that Suzie found him. I just came across this today. I hope he is doing well and enjoying the love and freedom.
Phoenix MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR'S AND HAVE HAPPY BETTER LIFE
It is a crime that the law makers lack in action when it comes to animal neglect and cruelty. The people who take action and get things done are the ones who really care and have love in their hearts.
Thank goodness for Suzi, the police should prosecute, when will they get it, we are tired and angry by what they DO NOT do.
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