Nashville, TN: A grassroots effort to save the life of a Pit Bull named Prada has been underway since her seizure a year ago. On February 3rd, she was deemed to be "dangerous" by Circuit Court Judge Joe Binkley, Jr., and sentenced to be killed. Her guardian, Nicole Andree is fighting this ruling.
Since the time of her seizure, Prada has been held in a cage in Nashville's Metro Animal Care and Control. Ms. Andree along with advocates from around the world have mounted a passionate fight to save this precious life. (Source.)
Prada was seized on January 2011, when she got loose from her yard and was involved in an altercation with two other dogs. It has been one mishap after another with this poor dog. Adding to the issues, reports have been made of other dog fights involving Prada during her time at the shelter.
A video was recently released that captured one of the incidents inside the shelter. The man responsible for cleaning the area is seen repeatedly kicking and punching both Prada and the other dog during the fight. Once separated, both dogs were wagging their tails and there was no indication of any negative issues between the dogs.
The video is reported to have called into question practices at the shelter, and just how accurate the reports of Prada's "attacks" on other dogs might be. In a report by WKRN TV News, Ms. Andree's attorney, Jean Harrison accused the shelter of incompetency after the video was released. (Source.)
Ms. Andree has emphatically stated throughout this entire ordeal that prior to all of this, Prada lived happily with her other dog, a poodle, and there are pictures showing the two dogs happily together.
Based on the story told about Prada at the website "Journal of Humanitarian Affairs", Prada is said to be the victim of "breedism". In other words, she is being singled out because she is a Pit Bull. You can read that story here, or at the link provided below. By all accounts in that story, this poor girl has been traumatized at every turn, but can be rehabilitated without the need to kill her.
That's all that her guardian wants; a chance for Prada to live. Opinions have been rendered that Prada can be rehabilitated and live a long and happy life, if only given the chance. Offers have been given for Prada to live outside of Nashville in a large yard with a secure enclosure and with a loving family. The belief is that, just as the dogs from Michael Vick's dogfighting operation were able to be rehabilitated and go on to loving homes, Prada can be saved as well.
Ms. Andree has 10 days from the date of the ruling to file an appeal, which she is most definitely going to do. She has stated she's given everything she has to save her dog's life, and will keep fighting to save her.
A petition had been signed by 3500 advocates, asking the Governor to stop the execution of Prada and save her life. Sadly, the Governor's office was reported to have said he doesn't have the power to step in and take any action regarding this case. (Source.) The petition is still active and is linked below.
The decision of whether or not Prada should die will now come through the appeal process of Judge Binkley's recent ruling. Further updates will be published here as they become available.
Compassionate advocates are watching this closely and hoping for Prada's life to be spared.
Click here for Prada's story at the "Journal of Humanitarian Affairs" article.
Click here for the petition: "Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam: Please Pardon Pitbull Prada."
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