Authorities rescued 51 Pit Bulls from the Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick’s Virginia home in 2007. These pets were subjected to horrible abuse. They were beaten, electrocuted, hung, drowned, and made to fight.
Unfortunately, three of the dogs died, but 48 courageous Pitties did. Several rescue organizations and their forever families showed these terrified, formerly abused dogs love and patience.
Frodo, one of the survivors, lived to be 15 years old. He passed away on December 18th, 2021. After spending a year in hell at Vick’s compound, he spent the next 14 years being “pampered like a prince.”
The dog’s death was posted on Facebook by BAD RAP, an Oakland-based nonprofit animal protection group. This organization was extremely helpful in advocating for and rehabilitating the dogs.
According to the BAD RAP entry on Frodo’s death:
“Dear Frodo – We adored him. He was one of the most courageous survivors we’d ever encountered.”
Frodo had a happy life with his loving family, and he also died in love. BAD RAP characterized the dog’s dying moments as follows:
“Frodo ate that enormous bag of steak while his mom, Kim Ramirez, and her daughter Dominique were crying.” Thank you, Dr. Williams, for attending to his medical requirements all the way to the end. He put his confidence in you, and you made this occasion wonderful.”
Frodo was the face of the effort to remove the bad stereotype of Pit Bulls throughout his life. He also demonstrated the importance of patience and kindness in the life of a dog.
BAD RAP, who has extensive expertise working with dogs captured in fights, believed in these pups from the start. BAD RAP previously stated that dogs with challenging histories deserve a second chance:
“Frodo demonstrated that younger canines rescued from cruelty incidents require socializing from the start in order to grow up strong and fearless.” In his instance, he was perhaps 3-6 months old when he was apprehended by police, and he subsequently waited six long and destructive months in solitary confinement for rescue assistance.”
When he was rescued from his terrible environment, Frodo was unusually timid and scared. Kim Ramirez, Frodo’s adoptee, explained in a 2009 interview with The Mercury News:
“The sound of anything mechanical irritates him. Our house had ceiling fans, and he would become focused on them, peering up at them with fear. He would flee if I opened a cupboard. Alternatively, microwave popcorn. I’m not sure, maybe the popcorn represents gunfire to him. I don’t believe he saw any of the bouts. But I’m confident he heard them.”
Frodo was fortunate to have the Ramirez family, who gave him so much love and compassion. When the adorable dog’s legs began to fail him, his family carried him around in a stroller.
A real survivor has died.
In 2019, 13 canines that had been released from Vick’s ring were still alive. Jonny Justice died accompanied by his family just two days before Frodo, and Uba crossed the rainbow bridge in October 2021.
These canines were given the chances they deserved, and despite their pasts, they all led happy lives.
When animal rights activists get together, amazing things can happen. These 48 “Vick” dogs are proof of it.
Vick was sentenced to 19 months in federal prison for funding dogfighting while confessing to murdering dogs. Despite this injustice, the high-profile case influenced public perception of Pit Bulls and how abused canines may be rehabilitated.
