What NFL quarterback Michael Vick and three others are accused of doing to dogs is absolutely grisly. What it might mean for animal activists who fight such cruelty is immeasurable.
CRUELTY ALERT: If you don't want to read about the cruel things that humans are capable of doing to other living creates, please read no further.
Vick, who plays for the Atlanta Falcons, was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury in Richmond on felony charges related to a dog-fighting probe that began with an April 2007 raid of a house (top photo) and property he owns in Virginia. The legal language is that Vick and the others are charged with competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines.
What they are accused of doing will turn your stomach:
* Killing -- or more accurately, executing -- dogs that did not perform well either in "testing" sessions or in actual fights. The indictment says dogs were shot with a .22 caliber pistol, eletrocuted (after a losing dog was wetted down), hanged, drowned and slammed against the ground.
* Using something called a "rape stand," a device that holds female dogs who are too aggressive to breed naturally with males. The restraint keeps the dog's head in place while a male dog is brought in.
* Using something called a "break" or "parting" stick as a means to pry open the mouths of dogs during fights.
* Chaining dogs to buried car axles. The axles allow the chains to pivot, keeping the dogs from getting tangled in the chains.
If the accusations are true -- and the presumption is innocent until proven guilty -- these men viewed these creatures purely as a sporting venture. For years, dogfighting has been something that happened in the shadows and involved the most unsavory people. It was not the kind of place one would find an all-star quarterback who has had his face on the front of "Madden Football."
If Michael Vick's indictment brings this dirty, disgusting enterprise into the light, that's a benefit many could not have even hoped for. By Tuesday evening, the National Football League already had come out against the dispicable activities.
"We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts."
Yes, let the legal process go forward. But this is a perfect time for animal activists in Delaware and other states to speak out against dogfighting, to expose illegal activities in this state and to lobby law enforcement officers to bring their considerable weight against those who disguise such cruelty as sport.
19 comments:
I'm glad to see that the state and federal officials took over this investigation.
It seems to me that the local county sheriff and the county prosecutor, to start, wanted nothing to do with this investigation.
Which tells me that they are lazy, stupid and totally incompetent. Or possibly that they were involved in these incidents. Someone should start a side investigation to see if they were involved in these crimes. If not actively involved, just maybe they were being paid off to ignore this location and the illegal activities, to just keep looking the other way. From the media accounts that I have seen and read, they were both dragging their feet on this investigation. Just doing nothing at all. It appear to me that they were just hoping that it would blow over, dry up and all the outsiders/media would just go away.
I smell smoke and where there's smoke, there's fire!
I have a feeling that right now we are only at the starting tip of this investigation. Now that the charges have been filed, arrests will be made. Then someone is going to flip, to get their best deal by pointing fingers. Then it should really get interesting and we should find out if the local "Lawmen" were in on it.
Per Michael Vicks and his "dog gang" of low life people, I only wish them bad luck and hard times.
No I don't want to see him on national tv playing football. People like him are sick and they should be held fully accountable for their crimes.
These acts are dispicable and it really does make me sick to my stomach how someone can watch this and allow this to go on, in my mind its murder, and someone that tortures animals is sick and should not be aloud to play football or be free in my mind. May he rot and pay the full price for his crimes, every defenseless dog
The Humane Society of the United States has been campaigning for NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to make a public comment against dog fighting in light of this investigation and comments by Clinton Portis' ("it's his property, his dog; if that's what he wants to do, do it,") and Jonathan Vilma's ("everyone (in the NFL) has heard about dog fighting) and others.
However, the only comment from the NFL was the one released yesterday stating that dogfighting is "cruel, degrading and illegal."
The following is a list of only some of the dog-fighting and dog-abuse events committed by professional sports figures in the past few years (per the HSUS):
* Other sports figures have been arrested for dog fighting including NBA's Qyntel Woods, and the NFL's LeShon Johnson.
* Earlier this year, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux was arrested and charged with felony animal abuse after allegedly killing his girlfriend's dog.
* Carolina Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis and NBA star Latrell Sprewell have had pit bulls who have attacked people.
* Boxer Roy Jones Jr. is a known cockfighter.
From the HSUS: "There are reports of animal fighting crimes nearly every week in the United States. In March alone, raids in Ohio and California yielded dozens of arrests, the seizure of 64 dogs, 300 birds, $30,000 dollars in illegal gambling proceeds, guns and an explosive device."
Dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states. Cockfighting is illegal in 49 states, with Governor Bill Richardson signing a bill to ban cockfighting in New Mexico earlier this spring.
It's time the public at large stops turning a blind eye to such crimes and criminal culture and begins to understand that pretending that such things don't happen won't make the abuse disappear.
I encourage everyone to visit the HSUS and ASPCA websites to learn how they, too, can help stop these crimes against animals from happening and to participate in the activist campaigns to get the major sports leagues to come out against such activities.
There is no argument. This man is a POS.
INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. AN INDICTMENT IS STRONG INDICATION OF WRONG DOING, BUT STOP MUD DRAGGING THEM UNTIL FOUND GUITY! AS FOR THE LOCAL LAW, I WOULD BE ASHAMED TO BE APART OF IT. INVESTIGATION IS WARRANTED!
While I fully agree that this is a bad situation and those involved deserve the full punishment the law can give, I have a question.
Why isn't this same publicity brought to play regarding local puppy mills? Those dogs are treated just as badly. At least a 22 shot to the head puts a dog out of it's misery. A puppy mill dog lives it's live as a breeding machine and is discarded when it's usefullness is gone. In my opinion, any story involving fighting or pit bulls is always on the agenda of the news, and other animal cruelty issues that are not as sensational are ignored.
People that use animals like this are the lowest form of life on the planet. What kind of sick POS needs to do this when he is making big money as a sports figure? You can take the man out of the ghetto, but....(you know the rest)
How many innocent animals are suffering at the ends of chains, in pens with no shelter, no water? Every citizen must become a watchdog to protect those that cannot protect themselves. If you see an animal suffering report it immediately to the SPCA, or Humane Society, and follow up the next day to see if it was addressed. Keep up the good work on this blog. Public awareness is the most important thing you can do.
Are you sure Vick wasn't doing this on behalf of those misfits at PETA? This sounds a lot like their "modus operandi".
I believe this whole investigation is the Federal government trying to grandstand. With the current problems our nation is facing Iraq, Terrorism, Drugs, the resource of the FBI, ATF, DEA, etc. need to be more efficiently used on real crimes. Yes, I said it "real crimes" because animal abuse should not be on the top of our agenda. Should it be a felony that when prosecuted it clogs up our judicial system, uses precious resources, and takes away prison beds from rapist, thieves, and other real criminals. I hope a judge throws this case out of court once he realizes that the feds are wasting time.
PETA is also another complete waste. We have people around the world Darfur, Congo, China(Tibet), Cuba, and many more who are being persecuted, but PETA would rather utilize it's energy to save Lassie. Instead of being so concerned with animals they need to focus their compassion on aiding mankind. Instead of lobbying for the passage of animal protection laws, let's lobby for increased United States sanctions against the Sudanese government. Instead of spending millions to give animals food and medical care, let's spend those millions to send some food and medicine to a refugee camp.
The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. -Mahandas Gandhi-
If a person is low enough to torture, beat, kill, and use an animal for their own personal profit, just think what they would do to a fellow human being. Michael Vick doesn't deserve to wear an NFL jersey, unless he wears it as a spectator. He has made great money using his talents as a football player. But to use innocent animals to fill is pockets is inexcusable. And then to brutally kill those dogs that didn't perform up to his expectations? There has been many times Vick didn't perform up to his teams' or coaches' expectations -- maybe he should have been tortured. If this man plays in the NFL again, it is setting an example that a professional athelete can get away with anything!! He and the others involved cannot be human.
Where is the required commentary from knower of all things animal, Jane Pierantozzi of Faithful Friends?
The statement "A substantial number of animal abusers have or will go on to abuse humans" is the same old argument animal rights activist always use to justify prosecuting people who abuse animals. To me it's an extreme example where yes it has occurred, but on the norm does not.
Yes, dog fighting is illegal, but only because many in our society feel it should be. These indivduals through there PAC's and campaigns have brought their opinion to the forefront. There are many people who do not beleive in this train of thought.
It seems as if animal rights activist place animals on the same level as humans when they are not.
I feel that Michael Vick should never be allowed to step on a football field ever again. He and all involved are a disgrace. He is supposed to be a positive example for all children. When the Courts have finished with their process and have them guilty, I feel the NFL should step up to the plate and do their part. I am a diehard Eagles fan and don't like Vick anyway. God Bless all these animals that have put through such cruelty.
"I hope a judge throws this case out of court once he realizes that the feds are wasting time."
Why are you even writing on this blog? You obviously have little to no respect for life. Yes, that's right, LIFE! They deserve to have someone speak for them under extreme circumstances. These dogs were subject to unusually CRUEL treatment. Sometimes animal activists are crazy for the things they work for and spend money on, but this?? This IS a serious crime with sick, deranged people involved. It absolutely needed attention.
No one wants to waste their time reading comments by heartless anonymous readers. Especially those with curious negative obsessions with Faithful Friends.
I just how they get enough evidence against this NFL loser he needs to bein jail along with others that were involved these men are all the lowest of men! I hope they will never be able to own a animal again, they are not deserving enough and never will be in my eyes,
What a sick sick thing to do! He needs to be put away with everyone that was involed ...And never never be able to play so he can also know that no matter how much money he has it cant get him off the hook! Do you know if you let this go, that means your giving people hope to get away with it!! NO WAY!!
This is a terrible thing in this this country that with all horrible and illegal things that are going on in this country and the world that every one is sooooo focused on this. Thet are JUST DOGS. Why Dont we address the fact that Bush is KILLING a whole lot more P E O P L E than the amount of dogs in Vicks backyard,
yes Bush is killing people and no one cares about that either
Post a Comment