Hector, one of the pit-bull terriers rescued from Michael Vick’s dogfighting compound, becomes an ambassador and visits Pittsburgh to promote awareness of the breed When 49 dogs were seized from Michael Vick’s dogfighting ring in 2007, many people didn’t want to give the dogs a second chance. Luckily for Hector and many others, they were.
Places like BAD RAP and Best Friends Animal Society took in many of the dogs, mostly pit-bull terriers, and evaluated each one on an individual basis. Hector was one of those lucky dogs.
Hector was fortunate enough to later be adopted by Roo and Clara Yori, who were already the proud guardians of another famous pit-bull terrier, Wallace, national K9 flying disc champion. When the opportunity presented itself to adopt another pit-bull terrier, Roo wanted to see if Hector would fit in with his family, which consisted of Wallace and their four other dogs. Fortunately for all involved, he did, and that became the start of a wonderful new life for this once misunderstood dog.
Recently, the family was in the process of moving from New York to Minnesota and made a stop along the way in Pittsburgh, where Hello Bully and the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society staff and volunteers successfully organized a full day of fun events for Hector.
Hector’s person, Andrew “Roo” Yori, said on KDKA radio station that morning, “These dogs are getting the chance to show everybody that they deserve the chance that they got.
Hector is now a certified therapy dog who has also passed his Canine Good Citizen test on a number of occasions.
That evening Emiliano’s Restaurant in Pittsburgh offered to host the event. Anyone who ate dinner at Emiliano’s that evening could have 10 percent of their check donated to Hello Bully and the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.
The night was filled with raffles, items for purchase, and dinner, but the real treat was having pictures taken with Hector and Roo. Over three hundred people came out to meet Hector and have their picture taken with him. People of all ages — even young children got to pose and even give Hector a hug and in some cases, a kiss.
Karyn Huggins, Pittsburgh resident, was touch emotionally by the experience and wanted to give Hector a kiss on the forehead.
“Meeting Hector was such an honor,” Karyn says. “Knowing the life and terrors he once faced and seeing his present and future is astonishing. He generated an energy in the room that I found very inspirational and moving. It was as if he knew all those people were there doing good by him and he was doing his best to set a good example for the breed. For one of God’s creatures to be treated as he once was and to see him now is to know that love and good people do make all the difference."
Hector and Roo posed for over 200 pictures that evening over a three hour span. When finished, they stayed and enjoyed dinner with several Hello Bully and Western Pennsylvania Humane Society staff and volunteers. The next day it was back on the road to their next stop in Illinois, before reaching their final destination in Minnesota. There, the Yoris will continue doing rescue work and education about the breed.
Check out the Pit Bull United website to learn more about Hector and Wallace’s inspirational work representing dogs as individuals, dispelling misconceptions and opening hearts and minds to pit-bull terriers.
Best Friends Animal Society is working throughout the country to help pit-bull terriers, who are battling everything from a media-driven bad reputation to ineffective and expensive breed-discriminatory legislation. Best Friends hopes to end discrimination against all dogs. Dogs are individuals and should be treated as such. Find out how you can help by visiting and becoming a fan of Best Friends' pit bull terrier initiatives.