From the Depths of Cruelty to a Life of Love
Nine years ago, a tiny Chihuahua named Monkey was pulled from the horrors of a dog fighting ring in Australia. Used as live bait, his survival was nothing short of miraculous. His front right leg was torn off, his front left leg had to be reconstructed, and his body bore the scars of unimaginable cruelty—his skull fractured, his lungs, bladder, and kidneys punctured.
“I knew about the dog-fighting ring he came from because, as an animal advocate, I had played a role in shutting it down,” says Gemma, Monkey’s rescuer and devoted guardian. “Days after the ring was dismantled, a police officer heard his cries—he had been left chained to his dead sister.”
Despite the trauma, Monkey’s spirit proved unbreakable. Gemma, who had already been instrumental in exposing and shutting down the ring, stepped in once more—this time, to save a life. She covered his medical bills, the adoption fee, and took him home, determined to give him the love and safety he had never known.
Dog fighting is a brutal and clandestine practice where dogs are bred, conditioned, and forced to engage in violent combat for human entertainment and financial gain. Despite being illegal in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, as well as under federal law, this inhumane activity persists in various underground networks across the country.
Prevalence and Operation of Dog Fighting
Estimates suggest that over 40,000 individuals are involved in organized dog fighting in the United States, with thousands more participating in informal street fights. These events are often shrouded in secrecy, making detection and intervention challenging for law enforcement agencies. Participants employ covert methods to organize fights, including the use of coded language and secluded locations. The dogs, typically pit bull-type breeds, are subjected to rigorous and abusive training regimens designed to enhance aggression and fighting prowess. This includes the use of heavy chains, forced exercise on treadmills, and the administration of anabolic steroids. Many dogs spend their lives tethered in isolation, deprived of social interaction and basic care.
A Warrior’s Journey to Healing
The early days of Monkey’s recovery were filled with uncertainty. His trauma was so severe that he would urinate in fear when touched, and he even attempted to harm himself in the veterinary cage out of sheer terror.
“I was warned that he might only have months to live,” Gemma recalls. “But I knew the moment I saw him that I just had to take him home and give him all the love that I could.”
Against all odds, Monkey survived. Not only did he survive, but he thrived. Today, he is a beacon of resilience, a living testament to the power of love and care.
“He’s just so cheeky and unbelievably playful, you would never guess his past,” says Gemma. “Our bond is so strong, and he’s so special in every way. He truly is the love of my life.”
A Celebrity in Ireland
Now living in Northern Ireland, Monkey has taken on a role that no one could have predicted for a once-abused rescue dog—he is the official ambassador of County Kildare.
“As ambassador, he gets to visit all the coffee shops and sample their pup cups—a job he takes very seriously!” Gemma says with a laugh. “He’s certainly a ladies’ man, too. Every time he sees a woman, he does his cute little face, and they swoon over him.”
Despite the medical challenges that continue to follow him—low blood sugar that requires hand-fed meals four times a day, the loss of his lower jaw due to infection—Monkey remains full of life, love, and mischief.
“He’s so happy, so playful,” Gemma says. “He does this thing where he loves to go underneath the covers and stay warm, and he does a flop—we call it ‘the flop’—where he rolls over onto his side and covers his face with his front paw. It’s just the cutest thing.”
In a symbolic tribute to their bond, Gemma has a tattoo on her wrist: Monkey’s paw prints. “I became his missing right arm,” she explains.
More Than Just One Rescue
Monkey is not the only survivor in Gemma’s home. She has rescued multiple Chihuahuas, each with a story of resilience. Ruby, now 14, survived being thrown down the stairs as a puppy and later defied a stage 4 cancer diagnosis. Ducky, found abandoned in a bag in Seattle, overcame horrific abuse and now thrives in her forever home.
Even Mango, a Chihuahua who has since passed, bore the marks of cruelty—he had been set on fire as a puppy and left for dead in a mango box in the Australian outback. Thanks to Gemma, he lived a long, loved life, passing away at the remarkable age of 17.
A Life of Love and Second Chances
Monkey’s story is one of survival, but more than that, it is a story of love, resilience, and second chances. “He is my warrior, my greatest joy,” says Gemma. “He certainly has my heart. Monkey is one of a kind.”
And so, the little dog who once knew nothing but pain now knows only love, surrounded by warm blankets, gentle hands, and an endless supply of pup cups.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
When I first read Monkey’s story, I was heartbroken, then outraged. The idea that a tiny Chihuahua—a breed known for its loyalty and love—was used as live bait in a brutal dog-fighting ring shook me to my core. His survival is nothing short of miraculous, but the reality is that thousands of dogs are not as lucky.
Dog fighting is one of the most heinous forms of animal cruelty, yet it continues to exist in the shadows, driven by greed, violence, and a disregard for life. Many people don’t realize just how widespread and organized these operations are or the horrific suffering these animals endure. The more I learned, the more I knew I had to use this platform to shed light on it.
By sharing Monkey’s story, I hope to show both the horrors of dog fighting and the incredible resilience of the dogs who survive it. But awareness alone isn’t enough—we need action. If you suspect dog fighting or any form of animal cruelty, please report it. Every dog deserves the chance to live a life filled with love, not pain.
Take Action Against Dog Fighting
Dog fighting is a horrific crime that thrives in secrecy, but you can help put an end to it. If you suspect dog fighting or any form of animal abuse in the United States, report it immediately. Contact the Humane Society of the United States at 877-644-5847 or visit their website at humanesociety.org to file a report. Your call could save innocent lives and bring perpetrators to justice. Animals deserve protection—be their voice today.
