Back in 2007, a Virginia compound belonging to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was raided by authorities who rescued 51 Pit Bulls. These poor creatures were subjected to unimaginable torture – they were electrocuted, beaten, hanged, drowned, and forced to fight. It’s unfortunate that three of them didn’t make it, but the remaining 48 resilient Pitties were given hope by numerous rescue organizations and their new loving families who showered them with affection and patience.
On Facebook, it was announced that Frodo, a survivor of Vick’s compound, passed away on December 18th, 2021. Despite enduring a year of terrible conditions at the compound, Frodo spent the last 14 years of his life being treated like royalty. BAD RAP, a nonprofit animal welfare organization based in Oakland, played a significant role in advocating for the dogs and rehabilitating them. In a recent Facebook post, BAD RAP mourned the loss of “sweet” Frodo, describing him as one of the bravest survivors they have ever encountered.
Frodo lived a happy life with his adoring family and was always surrounded by love. Unfortunately, the time had come for him to pass away. BAD RAP provided details about Frodo’s last moments, where he devoured a large bag of steak as his mama, Kim Ramirez, and her daughter Dominique wept. Dr. Williams attended to Frodo’s medical needs until the very end, and his trust in the doctor made the moment perfect.
Frodo, a timid and anxious dog, had a difficult time adjusting to his new life after being rescued from a terrible situation. According to an interview with Kim Ramirez, Frodo’s adopter, the noise of anything mechanical caused him distress. Even opening a cabinet or making popcorn in the microwave would make him shy away, possibly due to traumatic associations. Despite his challenges, the Ramirez family showered Frodo with love and patience, even pushing him around in a stroller when he could no longer walk on his own.
Farewell to an amazing fighter. Let’s pay tribute to the 48 resilient “Vick” dogs and their champions. As of 2019, 13 of the dogs that were rescued from Michael Vick’s dogfighting operation were still alive, 12 years after their rescue. Unfortunately, just recently, Jonny Justice passed away with his loved ones by his side, and Uba crossed over to the other side in October of this year, joining the others who have already passed on.
The dogs in question were finally given the opportunities they deserved and went on to lead happy lives, despite their challenging pasts. BAD RAP recognized and commended the efforts of various rescue groups who worked tirelessly towards rehabilitating these Pit Bulls. While BAD RAP and Best Friends received widespread recognition, there were several other organizations that played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of these dogs, including the Richmond Animal League, Georgia SPCA, SPCA of Monterey County, Out of the Pits, Our Pack, Recycled Love, Animal Rescue of Tidewater, and Animal Farm Foundation. The story of these 48 “Vick” dogs is a testament to the power of collective action among animal advocates and how it can bring about positive change.
According to the NY Post, Vick only spent 19 months in federal prison for funding dogfighting, even though he confessed to murdering dogs. Although this seems unfair, the case brought awareness to Pit Bulls and how mistreated dogs can still be rehabilitated. The information was shared on Facebook with a featured image.
