Jamie is a loving Pit Bull with a past we’d like to forget. New York City police officers rescued Jamie from a basement in Brooklyn back in April of this year. She’s just 4-years-old, but was extremely emaciated, covered with urine and feces and her toenails were so long, they were curling into her painful feet. The police officers sent her over to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to have her checked out by their veterinary team and start getting ready to find a better forever home.
The road hasn’t been easy. She first started her rehabilitation at ASPCA’s animal hospital, where she needed a lot of care and attention due to her very poor health. Once she was healthy enough to leave the hospital, she went to Canine Annex for Recovery and Enrichment, a special facility where animal cruelty victims get much needed attention and training.
Jamie has been at the shelter for 6 months now – a long time for a pup. Shelter environments can really bring a dog down and hide their true personality and the police officers that rescued Jamie know she’s a sweet girl that deserves a loving, forever home. So they decided to come visit her and take her out on a day full of fun!
“She is happiest when she’s out and about meeting new people and experiencing new things,” Victoria Wells, senior manager of behavior and training, told Today. “She does enjoy going for a run now and again, but she’s more likely to flop down for a belly rub or snuggle up for a nap.” A large part of Jamie’s day out was due to the ongoing relationship between the NYPD and ASPCA. Together, they actively combat animal cruelty with alarming results.
“Through this first-of-its-kind program, the NYPD takes the lead role in responding to all animal cruelty complaints in New York City, while the ASPCA provides direct care for animal cruelty victims through critical support including forensic evaluations, medical treatment, behavior assessments, housing and placement, as well as backup legal support and training,” tells ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement vice president Howard Lawrence.
Lawrence and the rest of the team know that victims of animal cruelty have an amazing ability to overcome their past abuse and make loving, forever companions. Because Jamie has been at the shelter so long, the police officers wanted to get her out to show the rest of the world what she has to offer. They took her to a dog park, let her ride in a police van, offered endless belly rubs and even treated her to some delicious pup-cakes.
We’re happy to report that Jamie’s previous owner has been charged with animal cruelty and will hopefully receive the punishment he deserves. Needless to say, Jamie is ready for her forever family and this social butterfly has a lifetime of love and friendship to offer. You can view Jamie’s adoption page here! While she is available for adoption outside of New York, potential adopters are required to visit her at the ASPCA to meet her before she goes home.
