Fate of Oklahoma Pit Bulls Found Abused Determined

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It is Sunday morning and the fate of the over 100 pit bulls found chained and hungry by hunters on Dec. 2 has been determined. For some of the dogs, their painful journey has come to an end. For others, it is a matter of trust as they are taking their first steps to the possibility of a new and better life in California.

Donna Reynolds of Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit bulls, (BAD RAP) and Donyale Hoye, BAD RAP volunteer, joined Ruth Steinberger of Oklahoma Alliance for Animals at the dog site on Dry Road Friday.

The trio had the responsibility of making life and death decisions for many animals. Exact numbers of how many dogs are getting a chance at a better life were not given.

"It breaks our hearts that we can't save them all because of limited resources," said Reynolds. "We believe it is easier for others not to know the numbers."

Steinberger said the group tries to do a balance and make sure the dogs selected will have a chance at a perfect pet life.

"We are very excited about bringing the dogs we found into the program," said Reynolds. "And we are happy that some of these dogs have been able to persevere."

One of those dogs that is getting a chance is a black female pit bull estimated by the trio to be about four years old that seems to have been born without a nose.

"She is going to be someone's baby," said Reynolds.

No Nose, as she is being referred to, encountered what is believed to be a lot of firsts in her life Friday night.

She rode in a vehicle, wore a doggie coat, saw Santa at the Kay County Sheriff's Department, posed for pictures, spent the night in a hotel room and had a bath. On Saturday, No Nose and the other dogs were scheduled to receive veterinarian care such as spay, neutering and vaccinations.

Following the surgeries and after receiving the go ahead from veterinarians, the dogs were scheduled to depart Kay County on Sunday or Monday for sunny California.

Reynolds said the dogs will be driven back and not flown.

Members of Best Friends Animal Society, located at Angel Canyon in southern Utah were on their way to Newkirk this weekend to assist in the departure. Once back in California, Reynolds explained the dogs will stay in a volunteer home and undergo emotional rehabilitation until ready for adoption.

"We look for stable, committed mature, and open minded people preferably with dog experience," said Reynolds. The organization does prefer that their adopters live in the San Francisco Bay Area, so chances are these dogs will not be returning to Kay County.

Full details on their adoption process can be found on BAD RAP's Web site.

Undersheriff Steve Kelley said three of the eight puppies found on the property have been adopted and that he is happy to see some of the adult dogs getting a chance.

"We had never dealt with a situation like this and didn't know what to do," said Kelley. "I really feel like we have found the right people for the dogs."

The man accused of abusing the dogs, Jerry Lee Southern, 36, Wichita, Kan. appeared in district court this week before Judge Phil Ross. Southern's bond was lowered from $250,000 to $50,000. His next court date is set for Jan. 16.

Reynolds said the progress of No Nose and the others will be tracked on their Web site www.badrap.org through updates, pictures and videos. She also added that No Nose will receive a prettier name.