A Brave, Young Lady.

On Monday, the 2nd of Feb., I met a very courageous young lady. This was the girl that was attacked by Pit Bulls in Gallipolis on Jan. 26th. The dogs were killed by police in order to get them off her. She and her aunt came into Just Dogs! Gourmet to buy treats for the aunt's dogs. I had the opportunity to talk with this girl.

I noticed she was wearing a sling on one arm and the other arm showed what I thought looked like teeth marks. I asked her what happened, and she told me. As I listened to her relive her ordeal, I was so amazed at how together she was. She told me she had grown up around these two dogs, but the owner had been feeding them raw meat with gunpowder in it. (She didn't know this until after the fact) (She was supposed to feed the dogs while he was away.) This is indicative of someone that fights dogs. They do this to make the dogs uncontrollably vicious. Most of the time, the dogs turn on the owners. The gunpowder eats the brain, literally.

As we talked, she told me her doctors told her they were amazed at how well she is healing, both physically and mentally. I agree with the mental part, totally. She didn't seem to be horribly afraid and said she had only had one nightmare. But, the doctors said she would probably have more dreams and would probably have to talk to someone outside of the family. I told her that I have a therapist, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Having someone to talk to outside of her family will help her deal with any feelings that she may have her family wouldn't understand.

She said that the man will probably go to prison for a "long time," as she put it. As he should. Dog fighting is a big "sport" in that area. Particularly in the back areas of Gallipolis and throughout Gallia County. These were two dogs that couldn't have been rehabilitated. Shooting them, sad as it was, was the best thing for them. For any fighters that might read this, you will be found, eventually, and put in prison! Remember that and I hope you spend your life looking over your shoulder! To everyone else; the HSUS (Humane Society of the U.S.) will give a $5000.00 reward to the person(s) who gives information that leads to a conviction of anyone fighting dogs.

My hat is off to this brave little girl. She is only 13, but acts much more mature. She is in my prayers.