Vick fighting dogs recovering in Utah

KANAB, Utah, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Trainers at a Utah animal shelter say 22 of Michael Vick's former pit bull fighting dogs are doing well in their rehabilitation efforts.

Called the "Vick-tory Dogs," the trainers say the animals are overcoming years of abuse in the dog fighting operation run by the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback and are slowly becoming friendlier to people and other dogs, the Deseret Morning News reported Tuesday.

One such dog is named Georgia, a female whom, judging from the scars, officials at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary near Kanab, Utah, say was probably one of Vick's most prized fighters. Best Friends assistant dog care manager John Garcia says Georgia has made great progress and is friendly with people now.

"Georgia is the spokes-pity for her breed," Garcia said. "Her ears are cropped, she has no teeth and she was obviously bred excessively. But she's sweet, loves attention and you can't help but smile back at her."

The newspaper said Georgia and the other "Vick-tory Dogs" will be featured in an upcoming episode of the National Geographic Channel program "Dogtown" airing Sept. 5.