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The Champions, a Documentary About the Pit Bulls Rescued from the Notorious Michael Vick Dog Fighting Case

by Jennie Richards · Published May 8, 2019 · Updated May 8, 2019

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The Champions is an inspirational story about the pit bulls rescued from the brutal fighting ring of former Atlanta Falcon’s star quarterback Michael Vick, and the rescue groups who risked it all to save them, despite pressure from PETA and The Humane Society of the United States to euthanize the dogs. It is a story of second-chances, redemption and hope. This uplifting documentary takes us on a journey about much more than just dogs—about prejudice, being misunderstood, the power of resilience, and the significance of the relationship we as humans have with animals.

Forced to fight for their lives, they were considered so dangerous that both PETA and the Humane Society of the United States wanted them euthanized. But no one could have predicted how the dogs would change the lives of those who risked everything to save them. A handful of organizations stepped up to this challenge, recognizing the dogs as the victims and willing to give them a second chance. The Championsfollows five of the dogs, from the time they are first rescued through their adoption. It is not just about the dogs themselves, but how they change and inspire the people who come into their lives. It also follows-up with six dogs who remain at Best Friends to this day, some of them for life. Thanks to the work of Best Friends and BADRAP, dozens of the dogs who would have summarily been killed were given a second chance to prove that even fighting dogs rescued from the most extreme circumstances can be successfully rehabilitated with love, time, and patience. That in fact, what many of these dogs needed to thrive wasn’t rehabilitation at all, but time to heal, recover and trust again.

About Michael Vick’s Charges

“In 2008, Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons’ star quarterback, was implicated in a long-running, illegal dog-fighting ring. The case shined a public light into the dark, shadowy world of dog fighting, where men gather in secret. Some people say that Michael Vick has served his time—that he has paid his debt to society. But most people don’t realize that Vick served time only for “Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in in an Animal Fighting Venture,” a federal offense because Vick had transported dogs across state lines in support of a criminal activity. At the state level, Vick pled guilty to one felony count of dogfighting but the sentence was suspended and animal cruelty charges were dropped. Michael Vick never served one single day in jail for animal cruelty.”

“As noted in the USDA investigative report about the Michael Vick case entitled “Bad Newz Kennels,” dogs who refused to fight or underperformed were routinely killed by one of a number of people who were involved with the ring. According to the report, dogs were shot with a .22 caliber handgun, hanged by nylon cord, electrocuted, or drowned in a 5-gallon bucket of water. According to the report, Vick initially denied killing any of the dogs himself. However, according to the report: ‘Vick was administered a polygraph examination by the FBI. Vick failed the examination as it related to the killing of the dogs in April 2007. Ultimately, Vick recanted his previous statement wherein he said he was not actually involved in the killing of six to eight dogs on or about April 19, 2007. Vick admitted taking part in the actual hanging of the dogs.’”

“Vick served 23 months in prison. None of this was for animal cruelty. Left behind in the aftermath were over 50 pit bulls. Dogs whose only experience with humans involved fear and brutality. The judicial system had saved them from the fighting ring, but what was our duty to them now? This is their story.” ~ Darcy Dennett, Film Director

Length of Film: 92 Minutes

Film Premier: October 2015

Watch the Film

Watch the Full-Length Film on The Champions website or on Amazon

Visit The Champion’swebsite at: www.championsdocumentary.com

Visit Best Friends Animal Society at: www.bestfriends.org

Visit Best Friends Animal Society on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/bestfriendsanimalsociety

Find out more about the dogs here

How to Report Animal Cruelty & Identify the Signs of Dog Fighting

Learn how to spot the signs of dogfighting and here

Learn how to spot the physical signs of animal cruelty

Learn how to report animal cruelty

Take action to stop dog fighting

Film Awards

2015 Starz People’s Choice Award Winner Best Documentary, Denver Film Festival

2015 Official Selection, St. Louis International Film Festival

2015 Official Selection, Heartland Film Festival

2015 Winner of Special Compassion, Justice and Animal Rights Segment – Hamptons International Film Festival

2015 Official Selection, New York City Documentary Film Festival

2015 Official Selection, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival

Quotes from the Film

“Most dogs refuse to fight unless they have been subjected to extreme deprivation and cruelty over the course of time.”

“Most pit bulls flat out refuse to fight, which in dogfighting rings almost always results in certain death.”

“Authorities on Michael Vick’s property found over 66 pit bulls and the graves of 7 pit bulls – and some of the losing dogs died in “the pit.” Officers found whips, chains, treadmills, and injectable drugs in one of the biggest and most elaborate dog fighting compounds they have ever seen.”

“Most of the time people don’t even hear about dog fighting cases. Because of the status of this defendant — the general public started asking questions.”

“BADRAP is in the Oakland Hills, a small rescue facility. It’s a peaceful place, quiet, with lots of sunlight. Many of these dogs have not even had the opportunity to be a dog.”

“It’s the first time federal authorities have allowed a full-scale rescue of fighting dogs, normally these dogs were put to death in the past.”

“The traditional historic relationship to fighting dogs was to simply regard them as damaged goods and kill them. This was something we had to do. It was the right thing to do. From the needs of the animals, we were the only ones who could care for the animals. We had been advocating for them to be given a chance, how could we not step forward and give them a chance? Best Friends took the 22 dogs that had the most challenges.” (Best Friends)

“We wanted animals to be given that second chance, when coming from a fighting background. We weren’t sure how long we would be taking care of these guys, or how long it would take to get them into homes.”

“He was so shy and shut down I felt bad even going into his run.”

“The history of pit bulls is the history of America. They were brought over to the U.S. from the U.K. In the early 1900s they were considered the ‘family dog,’ they protected children, they were very friendly, and kept as family dogs.”

“The media jumped on the pit bull and unfortunately it has stuck, so they are looked at as the bad dog of the day.”

“Many people have exploited them, abused them, and hurt them.”

“Pit bulls have been manipulated into being fighting dogs. If they don’t fight – the owner will kill them. But pit bulls would rather go for a swim, a walk, play with a Frisbee, or take a nap—than do what dog fighters make them do.”

“I like the world of dogs, it’s an interesting place to be.”

“I had just finished reading a book about the Michael Vick case. There was a set of steps that led up to the fighting pit — so for Little, going up any steps now, is a reminder of being thrown into “the fighting pit.” I have a vet that comes over to the house for acupuncture—she said Little carries a lot of stress in her body. It helped her to relax.”

“We look for that home that will accept these dogs for who they are.”

“Breed Discriminatory Laws really started taking hold in the 1980s. In the 250+ fatal dog attacks from 2000 – 2009, breed could only be determined in 17% of the cases. Most of these dogs were starving, were isolated, they were abused and neglected.”

“Breed discrimination is ‘panic policy making,’ where municipal officials decide that all the dogs of this breed are ‘evil’ and they need to be exterminated, so they will round them up and kill them.”

“There are some bad dogs of every breed, but there are some wonderful dogs of every breed. Every American citizen should be able to own and love any dog they choose, it’s that simple.”

“Pit-bull terriers are banned or restricted in hundreds of cities across the U.S. including Denver and Miami.”

“When we adopted Slater we made a commitment that he was part of our family, and you don’t leave your family. We truly believe we’re teaching our children compassion; Animals are not a convenience, when you adopt a dog – it’s for their entire lifetime.”

“Anyone who would be involved in this type of thing is a deplorable human being, anybody who would be involved in dog fighting would be a liability to society.”

“The USDA Report outlined that Michael Vick executed his family pets for his own amusement. He would kill poor fighting dogs by electrocution, drowning them, or hanging them.”

“I never had a lower opinion of humanity than I did with Michael Vick and his case.”

“The City of Dallas gave Michael Vick the key to the city, the key says we’re trusting our security to this convicted felon. Now we need to change all of our locks.”

“The problem is that there is still a demand to ‘consume’ the Michael Vick NFL product. He’s not entitled to go back to his career. It is wrong.”

“Nice families do go into shelters looking for pit bulls. So many pit bulls and pit bull mixes are dying in shelters all over the country. Most pit bull type dogs you find in the shelters have never had anything to do with fighting. Public perception about these dogs is often negative, but there’s nothing negative about these dogs.”

“There’s a nationwide groundswell of support for these dogs.

“There are numerous myths that abound with pit bull terriers – but they are no different that any other breed of dog. In fact, in temperament testing, pit bulls test better than border collies and Labradors.”

“It breaks my heart to think that someone would hurt him, because he’s so innocent and he’s such a great dog, I just can’t imagine our family without him. Cherry has had a dramatic impact on our lives, it’s just been an amazing experience with him. Your bad day just melts away because of Cherry.”

“Dan’s normal is not the same normal as the average dog, he’s way too fearful to go on walks, he’s fearful of the leash itself, and fearful of noises outside the fence—but inside our fence, he is very comfortable.”

“We got a stroller for Dan and for our daughter, we call it the Pope Mobile, so this way he can safely go for walks with all of us.”

“Not all of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick are in adoptive homes. Seven of the dogs are still at Best Friends Sanctuary. Three of the dogs are still too fearful for a home, we’re still working to overcome their fears. Some are dog aggressive. It’s unlikely they will ever be adoptable.”

“She knows she’s not going somewhere where she will be hurt. This is a safe place.”

“They say fight dogs are not able to be rehabilitated – but she did not have to be rehabilitated, she needed to recover and heal.”

“These dogs really broke ground. Dogs are individuals, animals are individuals, these dogs should be treated as individuals and always given a chance. They have been tremendous ambassadors for their breed.”

“These are family dogs—just because someone wanted to do a despicable thing with these animals, does not make them a fighting dog.”

“When we started the sanctuary, our North Star was kindness, kindness to the animals, kindness to each other. These are our brother and sister creatures. All of these animals have intrinsic value, they are not ours to dispose of. There is no small life or insignificant life.”

“Michael Vick tried to make these dogs mean, but they were never mean, they were extremely traumatized.”

“I want her to have the best life possible, I want her days to be filled with things that make her happy, and I think they are—she loves her home, she loves her life, this is where she was meant to be. She knows she’s home.”