by Jim Gorant
First published 2010
Jim Gorant follows the remarkable journey of dozens of pit bulls rescued from NFL star Michael Vick's illegal dogfighting operation. When the shocking cruelty case broke, animal lovers and sports fans wondered what would happen to the surviving dogs. Gorant reveals how public outcry and a court mandate saved these animals from euthanasia, requiring Vick to pay nearly one million dollars for their care. An ASPCA team evaluated each dog individually, discovering that while some remained hardened fighters, most were gentle animals hungry for human kindness. The book chronicles their transformation from victims to healers. Johnny Justice now helps children practice reading through the Paws for Tales program. Leo works with cancer patients and troubled teenagers for three hours each week. Gorant spotlights the dedicated rescue workers who turned these damaged dogs into sources of comfort and hope for others.
Genres: biography, animals, crime, non-fiction
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: redemption, transformation
Setting: ASPCA
279 pages · Hardcover · Gotham
Content warnings: animal-death, violence