I've been avoiding the Michael Vick/dog fighting/animal cruelty story but I just can't ignore it any longer.
When my husband read to me from some of the news stories (I will admit that I saw the headlines but I chose to not read them because I knew they would upset me. Head in the sand much? Yeah.) the accounts of what Vick and his cronies "allegedly" did to those dogs I felt ill. Physically, horribly nauseous. But I felt rage most of all. A terrible anger and hate for this man who is a superstar in his chosen profession, a public figure for chrissakes, and the three other fingered in this case who perpetrated this horrible act - the gruesome death of an unknown number of dogs and the abuse of many others in the name of "sport" and gambling.
Am I gunning for a guilty verdict? Oh, you betcha.
If he indeed knew of what was happening on his property and was an active participant I hope Vick gets the maximum sentence. My perfect wish is that he rots in jail, but I know that won't happen. Why? Because they're just animals.
(She says as she chokes on her own words.)
(Well, not my own words but the words I've heard uttered more often than I would care to mention.)
(Alright, I'm done with the parenthetical asides now.)
Our legal system has never been particularly kind to our four-legged friends - but the times, they are a-changing. The high profile of Vick draws attention to this blood-sport called dogfighting (You can read a copy of the indictment here). This abuse of dogs is rampant, my friends. Training dogs, through horrifying abuse, to kill each other for the amusement of the spectators is inexcusable, inhumane and inhuman. Did Vick really believe that he could get away with this just because he was a star in the NFL? I hope he spends his time in prison mourning the loss of his career and his soul because I believe he'll have plenty of time to do so.
(I told myself I was going to be as fair in this post as possible but I just can't.)
(I also said no more parentheses. Sorry.)
I'm not going to go into detail about the charges filed against Michael Vick and his three co-defendants because just uttering the words "rape stand" sends my stomach into convulsions and makes the bile rise in my throat. If you feel the same way you CAN do something.
According to the HSUS: "Leave a message with NFL Public Relations at (212) 450-2000 and ask the NFL to suspend Michael Vick immediately. Then send a follow-up email."
It might not work, however, it just might.
Or you could hit him where he lives, his bank account. It might already be working.
And if you'd like to do more reading on this case, and I suggest that you do, you can start with this article on dogfighting at CNN.com.
If you're into the legal-ese of this case, try this article at AnimalBlawg.
If you'd like to know about some of the equipment used to train these dogs to kill, like the Rape Stand mentioned above, then read this article at Slate.com (it's fairly PG rated, but it kills me that a rape stand is not illegal).
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What do you think about all this? Do you think that Vick will be suspended by the NFL? Do you think he should be suspended, even though he has not been found guilty of any crime as of yet or do you think that the NFL should follow the American legal system philosophy of "innocent until proven guilty"? This is an open forum, friends. I may have my opinion but I like to listen to all sides of an argument. Not that it will change my mind but I like a good sharing of ideas and opinions.
So, what do you think?
I don't trust fair trials for celebrities, especially sports stars.
But I think he ought to be taken down...like one of his dogs.
Posted by: Julie Pippert | July 21, 2007 at 01:26 PM
If he is, in fact, guilty, I hope he goes to prison and gets some abuse of his own, DAILY, for the length of his sentence. Animal abuse is something I cannot abide under ANY circumstances.
Posted by: Izzy | July 21, 2007 at 02:38 PM
It is a disgusting story and you were right about that rape stand. It is hard to believe that even legitmate breeders (according to the article) would use it. When he is found guilty he should be expelled from the NFL permantly and dropped from his endorsments. It needs to be shown that just because you are high profile that you dont get away with crimes. And dogfighting and aniumal abuse are illegal.
However, I have to agree with Julie that I dont trust our legal system when money and fame are involved. It appears that here in America you can buy your way out of just about anything.
Posted by: Wendy | July 23, 2007 at 09:30 AM
Oh, I feel the same way you do. I, too, literally felt sick to my stomach when I read about the atrocities that he put those dogs through. He's a cruel man and deserves to feel every pain that he inflicted on those poor helpless animals.
Posted by: Katie | July 23, 2007 at 09:40 AM
Given what little I know of it, I feel that there's no way he could have been ignorant of the goings on and he did nothing to stop it. That's the BEST case scenario from what I can see. Even best case scenario he doesn't get to play in the NFL ever again. In my opinion he should never be allowed to do anything he loves ever again and his money should be distributed to no kill shelters all over the country, even the money he may be giving to family members so he gets a taste of what collateral damage is like.
Posted by: Kizz | July 23, 2007 at 10:42 AM
Given what little I know of it, I feel that there's no way he could have been ignorant of the goings on and he did nothing to stop it. That's the BEST case scenario from what I can see. Even best case scenario he doesn't get to play in the NFL ever again. In my opinion he should never be allowed to do anything he loves ever again and his money should be distributed to no kill shelters all over the country, even the money he may be giving to family members so he gets a taste of what collateral damage is like.
Posted by: Kizz | July 23, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Given what little I know of it, I feel that there's no way he could have been ignorant of the goings on and he did nothing to stop it. That's the BEST case scenario from what I can see. Even best case scenario he doesn't get to play in the NFL ever again. In my opinion he should never be allowed to do anything he loves ever again and his money should be distributed to no kill shelters all over the country, even the money he may be giving to family members so he gets a taste of what collateral damage is like.
Posted by: Kizz | July 23, 2007 at 10:43 AM
Given what little I know of it, I feel that there's no way he could have been ignorant of the goings on and he did nothing to stop it. That's the BEST case scenario from what I can see. Even best case scenario he doesn't get to play in the NFL ever again. In my opinion he should never be allowed to do anything he loves ever again and his money should be distributed to no kill shelters all over the country, even the money he may be giving to family members so he gets a taste of what collateral damage is like.
Posted by: Kizz | July 23, 2007 at 10:43 AM
My husband has gone on an email campaign to every company associated with Vick (Coca Cola, Nike, etc.) and called for them to terminate their contracts with him. Of course, that won't happen because they could just get sued for terminating contracts. The legal system will continue to protect him, as well as the money he has, which will allow him to hire a flashy lawyer. He'll get a slap on the wrist and it will be an absolute disgrace. He is a monster.
Jane, P&B Girls
Posted by: pinks & blues girls | July 23, 2007 at 09:06 PM
Ah yes. I've been following this because it's in my neck of the woods where the Vicks are practically considered gods & excused for all sorts of bad behavior. But even here everyone thinks this is disgusting.
I have to caution the innocent until proven guilty thing. You know, because I'm a lawyer and all, but still.... If he's convicted (not holding my breath here) he should never play for the NFL again.
Posted by: LawyerMama | July 24, 2007 at 09:44 AM
Editorial written by one of the dogs in Michael Vick's dog fighting club.
http://www.animal-internet.com/Content/ArticleViewer.aspx?ArticleID=843
Posted by: Mike Z | July 25, 2007 at 07:31 PM
I first heard about this on NPR while driving around with the boy. I think it was a coach, or past coach speaking. It sortof went along the lines of: oh dear - he's just not the nice kid we knew, must be that bad crowd he runs with. he just needs some guidance...
Personally, I think they should suspend now, and if convicted, the NFL should sever ties. FOREVER.
It's even more horrifying how widespread this is.
A dear friend's boyfriend's brother was murdered most likely by people involved in a fighting ring. He had advertised his litter of Boxer puppies in the paper, someone came by and asked if they were aggressive. The last thing this breed is. He called his brother saying these crazy guys had come around to look at the litter and were probably looking for dogs to fight. Shortly thereafter they returned, shot him in the face, killing him and took the dogs.
Posted by: cooler*doula | July 25, 2007 at 08:21 PM
Hmmm... Just read the full indictment... It's incredibly detailed...
Conviction? I think there may be some hope. After all, this country did have laws to protect the rights of animals before it had laws protecting the rights of children...
Posted by: cooler*doula | July 25, 2007 at 08:34 PM
I think he definitely should have been suspended - and if he is convicted of the deeds he allegedly had part in - I'm praying for the maximum sentence... the whole thing just makes me sick. What kind of sick, twisted individuals could do that to an animal? There must be something off in their head... it's just wrong. Sick & wrong. He should be kicked out of the NFL permanently - theres no way he didn't have any knowledge of what was happening. Thats a load of crap.
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Posted by: chloe | February 16, 2011 at 02:48 AM
have to caution the innocent until proven guilty thing. You know, because I'm a lawyer and all, but still.... If he's convicted (not holding my breath here) he should never play for the NFL again.
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