National Geographic Channel's Dogtown Returns With Season Premiere Following
the Rehabilitation of the Michael Vick Dogs
Special Episode Goes Behind the Scenes of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary as
Former Fighting Dogs Rescued From Vick's Property Learn to Curb Aggressive
Behavior and Live Peacefully With Humans and Other Dogs
Two-Hour Season Premiere Friday, September 5, at 9 PM; New Episodes Air Every
Friday at 10 PM beginning September 12
WASHINGTON, July 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In April 2007, the nation was
shocked when dozens of traumatized pit bulls were discovered during a police
raid on a property owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. The
dogs were housed at Bad Newz Kennels, an illegal dogfighting venture operated
by Vick and three other men. At Bad Newz Kennels, poor-performing dogs were
executed, and many of those that survived showed signs of past injuries and
psychological trauma. Many people believed that these pit bulls were too far
gone to be rehabilitated and should be put down, but 47 were given a chance at
a better life. The 22 toughest cases were sent to Dogtown.
National Geographic Channel's (NGC) popular series DOGTOWN returns with a
special two-hour season premiere, Saving the Michael Vick Dogs, on Friday,
September 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Viewers follow the journeys of four of the most
challenging dogs -- Cherry, Meryl, Denzel, and Georgia -- as Dogtown's team of
dedicated experts works to help them overcome their violent pasts and live
happier, healthier lives. On the front lines with the Vick dogs are assistant
dog care manager and trainer John Garcia; dog care manager Michelle Besmehn;
veterinarian Dr. Patti Iampietro; and trainer Ann Allums.
Dogtown, a shelter for lost canine souls, is part of Best Friends Animal
Sanctuary, one of the largest no-kill animal facilities in the country.
Located on 33,000 acres of southern Utah canyon country, the sanctuary hosts
hundreds of dogs from all around the country, along with cats, horses,
rabbits, goats and various other farm animals -- about 1,500 animals at any
one time. For the animals that find a home in one of 12 lodging facilities, a
staff of more than 60 oversees their every need -- including medical
attention, training and rehabilitation -- with the eventual hope of placing as
many as possible with loving owners. Dogtown is often the last hope for dogs
requiring specialized or urgent medical attention or for abused and neglected
animals. This is especially true for the group of dogs from Bad Newz Kennels.
In DOGTOWN: Saving the Michael Vick Dogs, the team faces its toughest
challenges yet. The four dogs the special episode follows are Cherry, Meryl,
Denzel and Georgia.
CHERRY
Cherry, who may have been used as bait to train more aggressive fighters, is
terrified of people. It will take a lot of love and support to help him gain
confidence. When he arrives at Dogtown, Cherry flattens himself to the ground
and refuses to walk on a leash. By slowly introducing him to new faces and
experiences - including a recording of dogs "laughing" -- Cherry's trainers
begin to draw him out of his shell. Can Cherry overcome his extreme fear and
possibly become ready for adoption?
MERYL
Meryl is seriously aggressive and was ordered by the court to stay permanently
at Dogtown. Trainer Ann Allums loves a challenge and believes that a patient
approach can help calm Meryl's dangerous impulses. After she gains Meryl's
trust, Allums starts the dog on obedience training -- always focusing on
rewards instead of punishments. Meryl proves a quick study and moves on to
agility training, seeming to gain confidence and self-control from her new
skills. Although this unpredictable pit bull can never be adopted, she now
has a chance for a happy life in Dogtown.
DENZEL
Denzel arrives with a potentially life-threatening illness, and Dogtown's
medical team must determine what's making him so sick. He is diagnosed with a
tick-borne parasite sometimes found in fighting dogs, which may mean the other
pit bulls rescued with him are at risk as well. At first he seems to respond
to treatment, but he soon relapses. Can a new medication help Denzel recover?
GEORGIA
Georgia's body tells the story of her hard life. She has the scars of a
prize-winning fighter, shows signs of having had many litters and had all her
teeth pulled at some point in her past, possibly so she could be forcibly
bred. Can this traumatized pooch learn to interact with humans and other
dogs? To break Georgia of the bad and potentially dangerous habit of guarding
her food, trainer John Garcia tries feeding her by hand -- a risky maneuver.
Even with no teeth, the dog's powerful jaw could still do serious damage.
Soon Georgia is making great progress and easily mastering basic commands. If
she can pass Dogtown's Canine Good Citizen Test, Georgia has a chance at a
better life in a loving home.
In additional episodes we meet the rest of the Dogtown team, including medical
director Dr. Mike Dix, animal care operations manager Jeff Popowich, behavior
& training consultant Sherry Woodard, trainer Pat Whitacre, adoption
coordinator Kristi Littrell, and caregivers Analia Gutierrez and Betsy Kidder.
Future premieres in the new season include:
DOGTOWN: New Beginnings
Friday, September 12, at 10 PM ET/PT
A young hound named Wylee heads to Dogtown for much-needed medical attention.
Hit by a car and left for dead, Wylee can no longer use one of his front legs.
Veterinarian Dr. Mike Dix decides to amputate the mangled limb and then works
to help Wylee make the difficult transition to life on three legs. Meanwhile,
assistant dog care manager John Garcia meets new arrival Nochi, a terrier mix
with a history of biting. Garcia falls for the feisty little dog and resolves
to get to the bottom of his bad behavior. A walk into town provides an
opportunity for Garcia to help Nochi find new ways to channel his excitement.
Back at the sanctuary, dog care manager Michelle Besmehn decides to personally
foster Willa, a Scotty traumatized by her experience as a breeder in a puppy
mill. Besmehn hopes that the extra attention and calm environment will help
the dog overcome her fear of the world so that she can be adopted into a
loving new home.
DOGTOWN: Project Rescue
Friday, September 19, at 10 PM ET/PT
Johnny, a 1-year-old golden retriever, is happy, affectionate -- and seemingly
incapable of learning. Can trainer Pat Whitacre help the wayward pup perfect
the social skills he needs to live happily with a family? Meanwhile, dog care
manager Michelle Besmehn and animal care operations manager Jeff Popowich rush
to the Nevada desert to save a group of dogs left neglected by a hoarder.
Among them are Baxt, a young puppy with possible head trauma, and Tuffy, a
little dog near death from wounds suffered in a vicious attack. Under the
watchful eye of caregiver Analia Gutierrez, little Baxt gets the nourishment
and attention he needs to thrive. Although Tuffy's deep wounds and serious
infection seem grim, veterinarian Patti Iampietro has high hopes for his
recovery. Throughout the dog's ordeal, Popowich checks in on Tuffy, hoping
that the pooch he rescued can have a chance at a better life.
DOGTOWN: New Lives
Friday, September 26, at 10 PM ET/PT
Wycheck, a border collie mix, arrives at Dogtown unable to walk without
extreme pain. He has a dislocated hip, likely the result of being hit by a
car. Dr. Mike Dix hopes some time on Dogtown's high-tech underwater treadmill
will help Wycheck lose weight, which will help take the stress off his hip.
Another new arrival, a senior Weimaraner named Knightly, is paralyzed with
anxiety. Until recently, he had lived in a loving home. When his elderly
owners became sick and required daily visits from caregivers, Knightly became
confused and anxious by the presence of strangers and his owners' inability to
take care of him. After a nipping incident, he was removed from his home.
Now behavior consultant Sherry Woodard must help Knightly regain his
self-confidence so that he can be adopted by new owners. Meanwhile, trainer
Ann Allums has a different kind of challenge on her hands. Her latest charge
is Karina, an out-of-control stray. Can this exuberant pup learn to behave
and manage her energy?
DogTown is produced by National Geographic Television for the National
Geographic Channel. For National Geographic Television, executive producer is
Kim Woodard, series producer is Darcy Dennett. For the National Geographic
Channel, executive producer is Chris Valentini, and senior vice president,
production and development is Juliet Blake. Executive vice president of
content is Steve Burns.
National Geographic Channel
Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the
National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National
Geographic Ventures (NGV) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in
January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in
the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in
television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary in January 2006 with
the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National
Geographic is known for in stunning high-definition. NGC has carriage with all
of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it
currently available to nearly 68 million homes. For more information, please
visit www.natgeotv.com.
SOURCE National Geographic Channel
Russell Howard, +1-202-912-6652, RHoward@natgeochannel.com, Chris Albert,
+1-202-912-6526, CAlbert@natgeochannel.com, (National Broadcast) Dara Klatt,
202-912-6720, Dara.Klatt@natgeochannel.com, (Photos) Christine Elasigue,
+1-202-912-6708, celasigu@ngs.org, all of National Geographic Channel; or
(National & Local Radio) Johanna Ramos Boyer, +1-703-646-5137,
Johanna@jrbcomm.com; (National Print) Christie Parell, +1-202-496-2124,
CParell@fratelli.com, (Local Print) Licet Ariza, +1- 202-496-2122,
LAriza@fratelli.com, all for National Geographic Channel
