The "Great Eight" Find Refuge and Make New Friends
Spokane, WA (June 17, 2008) The "Great Eight," victims of Washington's first dog fighting case, will soon be transported to a rescue operation in Missouri, thanks to the efforts of Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS), a businesswoman in Pullman, and the Best Friends Animal Society of Utah.
Superior Court Judge Tari Eitzen released the eight Pit Bulls, following the conviction of Peter Nelson and Alfredo Renteria of running a dog-fighting operation in Spokane Valley. When the court released the dogs, they became the property of SCRAPS and Director Nancy Hill began searching for a viable option for the animals. Help came from near and far; the Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah and Pullman, WA businesswoman Carmel Travis, who organized the rescue operation and donations.
The Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org), working closely with Hill and Travis, located Stray Rescue, a shelter in St. Louis that specializes in Pit Bulls and Bully breed dogs. In addition, the Best Friends Animal Society is loaning their temperature-controlled van, the Best Friends Freedom Train, and skilled staff to care for the dogs during their trip to St. Louis, MO. Meanwhile, Travis organized the entire rescue operation - including donations to pay for the transport and care of the dogs when they reach Stray Rescue (www.strayrescue.org).
NEWS CONFERENCE
The media is invited to a news conference on Wednesday, June 18th at 11:30 a.m. at SCRAPS (2521 N. Flora Road) to see the dogs prior to transport and interview staff from the Best Friends Animal Society and SCRAPS. For more information, contact Public Info. and Communications Manager Martha Lou Wheatley-Billeter at (509) 477-7195 or (509) 263-9385.
The Best Friends team transporting the "Great Eight" consists of animal behavior consultant Sherry Woodard and animal care operations manager Jeff Popowich. Both Woodard and Popowich have considerable experience handling dogs of all types. For example, they were instrumental in Best Friends' Hurricane Katrina pet rescue and they worked with thousands of injured and stressed dogs.
Sherry and Jeff are also stars of the National Geographic Channel series, "Dogtown." In January, 2008, the Best Friends Animals Society received 22 of the Michael Vick fighting Pit Bulls because of the organization's ability to rehabilitate challenging dogs. The first episode of "Dogtown" this fall will focus on the Vick dogs.
For more information about Best Friends, please contact:
Barbara Williamson
Media Relations Manager
Best Friends Animal Society
(435) 644-2001, ext. 4408
Cell: (435) 689-0200
barbara@bestfriends.org
John Polis
Public Relations Manager
Best Friends Animal Society
(435) 622-2001, ext. 4858
Cell: (435) 817-2980
johnp@bestfriends.org
KREM Fighting Dogs Leave for New Home - Spokane, Wash. - Eight dogs involved in Washington's first dog fighting case were packed up in kennels and moved to a rescue operation in Missouri Wednesday afternoon.
Great Eight Video - KHQ.com
MSNBC Spokane, Wash. - The "Great Eight," victims of Washington's first dog fighting case, will soon be transported to a rescue operation in Missouri, thanks to the efforts of Spokane County Regional Animal Proctions Service (SCRAPS), a businessowman in Pullman, and the Best Friends Animal Society of Utah.
St. Louis Post Dispatch - Eight pit bulls seized in a 2007 raid on a Spokane, Wash., dog-fighting operation are on their way to St. Louis to be rehabilitated and, if all goes well, find new homes.
Spokesman Review - It was a twisted plot with a happy ending.
KXLY Video Link in the story.
KXLY Online Story - SPOKANE VALLEY -- Eight pit bulls rescued from a dog fighting ring in Spokane Valley are on the open road headed to St. Louis, Missouri, where they'll start new lives.
