Thirteen years ago, dogs seized from dogfighting busts were considered by most organizations to be too dangerous, too damaged, too traumatized to be rehabilitated. So it was no surprise that the effort to save the dogs from the Michael Vick dogfighting case was controversial. Some in our line of work called it reckless, and others believe it to be a waste of resources.

But it is the stories of those 47 dogs that have helped millions of people understand that all dogs are individuals. They have proven that breed discrimination laws are ineffective and costly. And these misguided bans may force people to have to give up their family members. Pets who have done nothing wrong; their only crime is their appearance.

How far have we come on these issues? What is the status of the legislative efforts to ensure no dog faces discrimination for the way they look? And how successful have we been at changing the public’s perception?