Man vows to help pitbulls after his own is rescued from the Schuylkill

Spring City’s Benjamin Russell jumped into the Schuylkill River earlier this month to escape two men who attempted to rob him. But when Russell’s pitbull, Vickie, jumped in after him, he wasn’t able to get her out.

Six days later, Russell was reunited with Vickie after someone pulled the dog from the river. But as he searched for his own dog, he realized how many others needed help.

Russell tells the Daily Local he’s so grateful for Vickie’s return that he hopes to open a no-kill pitbull shelter in Chester County. He plans to reach out to Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who’s already involved in a local anti-dogfighting campaign.