Two pit bulls, Gracie and Layla, were found in a park near Philadelphia in critical condition. Gracie was cold to the touch, while Layla was curled up next to her, seemingly protecting her. Officer Russ “Wolf” Harper, co-founder of Justice Rescue, arrived on the scene and comforted the dogs with his gentle voice. He eventually got close enough to keep them warm with his heavy police vest before rushing them to the vet.
At the vet, Gracie was in dire condition and Harper feared she might need to be euthanized. However, the veterinarian gave her fluids and began warming her up. It was clear from their wounds that these young dogs had been used for fighting most of their lives. “They’re only about 2 years old and have only known abuse and fighting,” Harper observed.
Despite her poor condition, Gracie began to improve. Harper visited her in her room and she stood up when she saw him, even eating out of his hand. “She wanted to follow me around. I sat down and she sat right on my lap,” Harper said. Layla, however, crashed the next day and required special care.
Harper and his co-founder founded Justice Rescue to fill the gap in training that police officers have when dealing with animal cruelty. After undergoing rigorous training in law enforcement, they pursued a career as special humane officers, acquiring certification as crime scene investigators to aid in the identification of abusers and gather crucial evidence for district attorneys. Thanks to their expertise, Harper has played a vital role in dismantling dogfighting rings and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Harper and his co-founder founded Justice Rescue to fill the gap in training that police officers have when dealing with animal cruelty. After undergoing rigorous training in law enforcement, they pursued a career as special humane officers, acquiring certification as crime scene investigators to aid in the identification of abusers and gather crucial evidence for district attorneys.
Thanks to their expertise, Harper has played a vital role in dismantling dogfighting rings and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Gracie and Layla still have a long way to go to recover but are starting to understand that people can help them. “They just look at you. They just stare, like, ‘Is this real?’” Harper said. The dogs will stay with Harper until they are ready to be adopted into the right home.
