People thought the two pit bulls were dead when they were found dumped in a park near Philadelphia. One of them, Gracie, felt cold when you touched it. Layla, one of her best friends, was close to her, as if to protect her.
Officer Russ “Wolf” Harper, who helped start Justice Rescue, told The Dodo, “She would not leave her side.” “When someone got too close to her, her friend tried to hide her… It seemed like she was almost willing to take the punishment for the other.”
Officer Harper is tall and has tattoos all over his arms, a beard, and a shaved head. He also has a “girly 10-year-old voice” that he uses to comfort dogs. And that was the first thing he did when he got to the park and saw these dogs.
“I got down on my knees and used my girly voice from when I was 10,” he said. “Then Layla comes over to me with her tail wagging but her eyes tight, as if she was ready to be hit.”
She finally got close enough to pet her nose and forehead. She ran back to her friend after that.
Harper finally got close enough to the two dogs so that he could cover them with his thick police gear to keep them warm. So he grabbed them and rushed them to the vet, preparing himself for the worst.
Harper was afraid that since Gracie was so weak and cold, she might have to be put down. Both dogs were very thin and had wounds and scars all over their bodies.
Harper could tell from their wounds that the young dogs had been used for fighting their whole lives.
“Some are very old, and others aren’t that old,” Harper said. “They both had fresh bite wounds all over their bodies… They are just about two years old and have only known abuse and fighting.
Harper said, “Gracie was on her deathbed.” “The vet gave her fluids and started to warm her up.”
Harper has been interested in dog rescue for a long time. He even went to school to become a police officer so that he could be the first person to help in situations like this one.
“Animal abuse is linked to child abuse, domestic violence, drugs, guns, and other crimes that lead to bigger ones.” What Harper said.
Most of the time, the police don’t know how to deal with people who hurt animals. Harper and his co-founder started Justice Rescue to fill this need. They got training in law enforcement and were given the title of “special humane officers.” They now have a license to investigate crime scenes, which will help them find abusers and give evidence to district attorneys. Because of this, Harper has been able to help break up dogfighting rings without having to wait for the dead dogs to show up somewhere.
Gracie’s strength started to get a lot better.
When Harper went to see the vet, she changed. “When Gracie saw me, she stood up,” Harper said. “She began to eat from my hand. She knew who I was… She looked like she wanted to follow me around. When I sat down, she sat on my lap.”
But the next day, Layla fell and had to get help right away. She got better in the end, but both dogs are still sick.
Harper noticed that they looked surprised to be saved: “They like all the attention, but they don’t know what to do with it.”
Gracie and Layla will spend almost a week at the vet’s office. Then, they’ll go to Harper, who will help them get back on their feet, get some basic training, and learn to trust again. When they are ready, the right family will adopt them.
Harper said, “Most of the time, dogs get so close because they don’t have anyone else.” People are helping them get healthier in so many ways that they can’t believe it. “All they do is look at you. They just stand there and stare as if to ask, “Is this real?”