CONTACT INFORMATION + SAMPLE LETTER
United States Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia
U.S. Attorney Michael R. Gill
600 East Main Street, Suite 1800
Richmond, VA 23219-2447
ph: 804-819-5400; fax: 804-771-2316
Case #307CV397
LETTERS ONLY
Steve Zawistowski Ph.D
Behavioral Specialist ASPCA
ph: 212-876-7700 x4401 • email: stevez@aspca.org
Randall Lockwood Ph.D
Behavioral Specialist ASPCA
ph: 212-876-7700 x4611 • email: randalll@aspca.org
Gentlemen,
I thank the U.S. Attorney's Office for its promise to not return about 50 pit bulls seized from Michael Vick's dogfighting compound to a similar setting.
Now that these unfortunate dogs find themselves "property of the United States," I respectfully ask the United States to do the right thing. I urge you weigh expert opinion from ASPCA behavioral specialists in conjunction with the hands-on experience of Best Friends Animal Society in Utah, Animal Care Foundation of Hawaii, and Mariah's Promise in Colorado — at least three first-rate sanctuaries that have offered to care for some of the dogs.
Diane Jessup, well known author and founder of LawDogsUSA (a program that trains pit bulls as detection dogs) has also expressed interest in screening Vick's confiscated dogs for use as narcotics and explosives detection dogs. Jessup has worked with pit bulls from all walks of life.
There can be salvation for some, if not all of these dogs.
As the animals are evaluated over the next several weeks, I hope you will consider the trauma they've endured and measure their ability to be rehabilitated with some lenience. Sadly, millions of animals who need rescue languish in our nation's shelters everyday. But Vick's dogs have stolen our hearts and come to represent the worst in human brutality.
Now, the best in human kindness want to rehabilitate these dogs — not to adopt them into homes — but to give them a place to feel safe and loved. I sincerely hope the U.S. Attorney's Office, and ultimately the U.S. District Court Judge in Richmond, afford them this chance.
Thank you,
