The state of Virginia witnessed a disturbing incident involving Michael Vick, a former player of Atlanta Falcons, in which 51 Pit Bulls were rescued due to their harsh treatment. These poor creatures had suffered from inhumane acts like being restrained, electrocuted, hanged, drowned, and forced to fight each other. Regrettably, most of the Pit Bulls didn’t survive, except for three who were fortunate enough to receive a fresh start at life. All credit goes to the compassionate people from different rescue organizations and their new adoptive families for helping these once-abused and fearful dogs to flourish.
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Frodo, one of the dogs rescued from the notorious Vick compound. After a year of mistreatment at Vick’s hands, Frodo was fortunate enough to be taken in by caring individuals who treated him like royalty for the following fourteen years until he passed away on December 18th, 2021. We honor Frodo’s memory and are grateful for organizations like BAD RAP, who tirelessly advocate for animal welfare and played a critical role in rehabilitating these dogs. BAD RAP shared the news of Frodo’s passing on their Facebook page and paid tribute to this courageous survivor who will always be remembered fondly. Farewell sweet Frodo, you will be missed dearly.
Frodo, a Pit Bull who dedicated his life to changing public perceptions about his breed, has passed away. Despite the sadness of his loss, Frodo’s family is grateful to Dr. Williams for his tender care during Frodo’s final moments, as reported by BAD RAP. The emotional scene was made more bearable by the fact that Frodo was able to enjoy a large package of meat before departing this world. Dr. Williams’ kindness helped create a lasting memory of Frodo’s final hours, and his story highlights the importance of combatting stereotypes and promoting compassion and tolerance in dogs. Frodo worked hard to change people’s perceptions of Pit Bulls, and he was successful in this, as evidenced by the trust BAD RAP placed in him and his puppies. They strongly believe in giving second chances to troubled canines.
The tale of Frodo emphasizes the significance of socializing mistreated puppies to ensure their growth into confident and resilient adult dogs. Unfortunately, Frodo was removed from his environment at a young age and spent half a year in isolation without any assistance. Upon his rescue, he displayed excessive anxiety and wariness, as recounted by his adopter Kim Ramirez during a 2009 interview with The Mercury News.
The dog had a strong dislike for mechanical sounds as they would always seem to bother him. Even the ceiling fans in his home made him tremble. He was so frightened of loud noises that he would run off if a cabinet was opened. Despite this, his family tried to make him feel at ease by microwaving popcorn for him, hoping he would associate the sound of gunfire with the snack instead. They also thought that he may not have seen any of the matches, but he definitely heard them. The Ramirez family adored and took good care of Frodo, even pushing him around in a stroller when his legs grew weak. It’s unfortunate that this brave little dog has passed away and his absence will be felt deeply by all those who knew him.
Last year, there remained a total of thirteen dogs that needed to be rescued from the dogfighting ring of Vick. Regrettably, Jonny Justice, who was one of the survivors, peacefully passed away in the presence of his family in October 2021. Following suit, Frodo and Uba also left this world just a few days after. Despite their painful past, these canines were able to live happy and contented lives because they were given the love and care they deserved. The 48 “Vick” dogs are proof of how animal rights supporters can unite in pursuit of a shared goal.
Vick got a punishment of 19 months in federal prison for admitting to the illegal killing of dogs and encouraging dogfighting. This incident received widespread media attention, and despite its unjust conclusion, it had a substantial impact on society’s perception of Pit Bulls and the possibility of mistreated canines to make a comeback.
