NJ Aid For Animals’ ‘Sweet Pea’ Honored as “Dog of the Year"

Sweet Pea’s life has come full circle. Rescued from a Camden City garbage dump by NJ Aid for Animals, the former bait dog victim walked the red carpet on November 14 to be honored as the ASPCA®’s (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) “Dog of the Year” at its Annual Humane Awards Luncheon in New York City.

Every year, the ASPCA honors animal heroes who have gone above and beyond to help humans, as well as people who are making significant strides to improve animal welfare aligned with the ASPCA’s mission of providing effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Sweet Pea is the 2019

Dog of the Year for bringing attention to the persistent crime and brutality of dogfighting, busting breed stereotypes, and inspiring donations for animals in need.

Since rescuing Sweet Pea from a garbage dump in Camden in 2015, Kathy McGuire, President and founder of NJ Aid for Animals, has been overseeing the Sweet Pea Fund, which raises funds for dogfighting victims and other abused and abandoned animals. Despite being a felony in all 50 states, dogfighting is an industry that requires animal cruelty to function.

In her captivating acceptance speech “What about the others? What about you?” McGuire shined a light on the illegal act of dog fighting and busting breed stereotypes.

“This award is in honor of those pit bulls that have slipped through the cracks – the ones that were not saved. Pit bulls are overlooked in animal shelters and are part of breed specific legislation (BSL) all over the country and Canada. NJ Aid for Animals is working tirelessly to end dog fighting and BSL.” McGuire encouraged attendees to know the signs of dog fighting and take action to report it, to not label dogs and to adopt a pit bull from your local shelter.

“Sweet Pea has been a beacon of hope for many dogfighting victims and has shown the positivity that comes from such a tragic experience. She has inspired us all to be better advocates for animal welfare. This award is on behalf of all the dogs who will not make it out,” says McGuire.

As a former “bait dog,” Sweet Pea was a helpless victim abused by dog fighters to train fighting dogs to maim or kill their opponents – making her highly disposable in the dogfighting operation. When she became too badly injured to be useful, they abandoned her at a Camden City garbage dump. When McGuire and the NJ Aid for Animals’ team rushed Sweet Pea to the vet, Sweet Pea was in excruciating pain from her wounds. Sweet Pea was “one of the worst bait dog survivors” that Dr. Marcy Rose, her treating veterinarian, had ever seen. For days, Sweet Pea endured being swathed in bandages and covered with salve. “With her flesh exposed like a burn victim, Sweet Pea was in unimaginable pain,” McGuire added.

Despite her brutal past, Sweet Pea busted breed stereotypes by maintaining a friendly and playful disposition that has surprised local police, animal welfare professionals, the community and even local leaders. In 2018, Sweet Pea’s gentle personality and love for everyone garnered a resolution from the State of New Jersey, and she was named the “Official Face of Dogfighting Awareness for New Jersey.” In 2019, she began appearing in public billboard campaigns to bring attention to the persistent crime and brutality of dogfighting.

To support Sweet Pea in her tireless efforts to raise funds for other animals like her with no advocate, or to follow her journey, go to https://njafa.org/blog/sweet-pea/ or visit her on Facebook at The Sweet Pea Fund.

About NJ Aid for Animals
NJ Aid for Animals, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit founded in 2005. Its mission is to enrich the life of every animal it touches; to fulfill the needs of distressed communities for wellness, humane education and access to low-cost spay/neuter of domestic animals; and to expand awareness and report animal neglect and abuse. For more information about NJ Aid for Animals, visit http://www.njafa.org or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NJAFA.