News Releases
Application released for placement of dogs in the Michael Vick case
Friday, October 26, 2007
The application for rescue organizations to handle permanent placement of the dogs seized in the Michael Vick case is now available. Valparaiso University School of Law Professor Rebecca J. Huss, court appointed Guardian/Special Master of the dogs, made the announcement today.
Releasing this application is the latest step in Professor Huss' work to make recommendations to the court on the future of the 48 remaining American Pit Bull Terriers. Last week, Professor Huss interacted with the dogs to begin her evaluation. She was accompanied by Tim Racer of Bay Area Doglovers Responsible about Pit Bulls (Bad Rap), a member of the team of experts assembled by the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Professor Huss is also conferring with other experts on the possible placement for each dog.
"I have heard from many well meaning citizens about the final disposition of the dogs in this case. I am hopeful that established rescue organizations will come forward to take responsibility for these dogs," Professor Huss said. "Some of the dogs that showed no signs of aggression or threat are now with experienced foster families to allow further evaluation of the dogs. Organizations providing this interim care are appreciated, though not automatically selected to receive the dogs for permanent placement,” she added.
Bad Rap arranged the foster care for the dogs. Professor Huss will also receive ongoing information regarding the status of the dogs remaining in shelters in Virginia, where they have been housed since April.
Pursuant to the court order appointing Professor Huss as Guardian/Special Master, only established rescue organizations will be eligible to take custody of the dogs. The application provides four categories of dogs to be placed, based on the initial evaluation of the dogs. They are Foster Care/Observation, Law Dogs, Sanctuary 1 and Sanctuary 2 dogs.
Professor Huss cautioned it is possible that a dog currently in one of the established categories may need to be euthanized if further evaluation indicates the dog could be a danger to humans or other animals or if appropriate placement cannot be found.
The applications must be returned to Professor Huss no later than November 12, 2007 in order to allow the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to perform, in a timely manner, inspections of the sites where the dogs will be housed in a timely manner.
Professor Huss, in her ninth year on the faculty of Valparaiso University School of Law, said "if everything goes according to schedule, the dogs could be transferred to the rescue organizations before the end of the year."
The application is now available at www.valpo.edu/law. Please note the link on the right side of that page which reads "Rescue Organization Application."
The application can be directly downloaded at: www.valpo.edu/law/assets/docs/RescueOrganizationsApplication.doc
For more information, please contact:
Tom Shaer, Tom Shaer Media, Inc.
Telephone: 224-305-2551
Email: shaermedia@aol.com
Valparaiso University School of Law: www.valpo.edu/law
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