Sick Vick: A few hundred words worth reading
By Gina Spadafori
August 22, 2007
I’m actually rather loathe to add to the millions of words written about Michael Vick.
But even if you don’t want to read any more about Michael Vick, read Sally Jenkins’ Washington Post column on the subject. Because she takes the points that we’ve heard a thousands times as animal-lovers — especially the we “care more about animals than people” nonsense — and provides the proper perspective to this tale of evil:
Michael Vick and his alter ego Ron Mexico, those suave fakers, are going away. It looks like Vick will do at least 12 to 18 months in a federal penitentiary for his crimes, after which the admittedly faint hope is that he might emerge a more whole and gentle person, as opposed to a dog slayer and liar. In the meantime, Vick’s lawyer wants us to remember, “Michael is a father, he’s a son, he’s a human being — people oftentimes forget that.” Pardon, but if anybody forgot his humanity, it was Vick. Not us.
[...]
People are angry at Vick because they sense that dogfighting isn’t a petty crime, but an underworld pursuit. It lies at a “nexus with other crimes and community violence,” and tends to be associated with “a whole host of peripheral criminal activities,” including gambling and racketeering, drug trafficking and gang activity, according to the Michigan State College of Law’s animal law center. People are angry at Vick because he’s a squanderer who criminally abused his opportunities and turned his talents to sleaze. He was on top of the world, and instead of reaching up, reached down.
But more than anything, people are angry with Vick because they understand that dogfighting is a gratuitous form of cruelty. This was a calculating, deliberate and sustained cruelty, perpetrated over a number of years. Sixty-six tortured and battered dogs were found on his property, and affidavits say he personally helped kill eight others. Lots of crimes are committed in a moment of passion, with one lapse in judgment or snap of the temper. This isn’t one of them.
Here’s the rest. And thanks to the fabulous pet-care writer and book author Susan McCullough for the tip.
The image, by the way, is from BadRap. This is Pearl, a former fighting pit bull now a beloved and trustworthy pet. I would give this girl a hug. Wouldn’t you? Here’s her story.
A little more: Jon Stewart’s skewering of fatuous TV sports yappers is wonderful. Go to the videos and click on “Vick’s Rub.” NBC’s sports commentators: Now there are some guys who understand priorities … not.
I saved Sally Jenkins’ column — excellent!
Jon Stewart’s piece was SO good (hard to listen to those sports’ guys, tho) and his ending is SO perfect!
Comment by shadepuppy — August 22, 2007 @ 8:42 pm
The fate of the dogs will be decided by the Virginia State Attorney’s Office, Eastern District. You may have read that the trial judge Hudson was going to make this decision, but I have spoken to his office and this is not correct.
The VSA can be reached at:
usavae.press@usdog.gov.
I urge all concerned readers to send a POLITE letter to this office imploring them to have the dogs evaluated for temperment and rehabilitation potential by a reputable bully breed rescue organization.
Please don’t make any negative comments on the performance of the DA’s office, sentencing Vick, whatever. Keep focused on the dogs and how they deserve a chance to live.
And if there are any rescue groups out there that could volunteer to do the evaluations, please let the DA know that you are willing to help.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — August 23, 2007 @ 7:30 am
comment by Andrea 2CatMom
That addie bounces. Could it be usavae.press@usdoj.gov?
Comment by Serijna — August 23, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
Serijina - yes, you are correct. I guess I have dogs on my mind a lot today!
Please note that the correct email to send your comments regarding the fate of Vick’s dogs is:
usavae.press@usdoj.gov
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — August 23, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
Thanks for the post. Can’t believe the extent of what really happened in this vick case.
Comment by petPedia — August 23, 2007 @ 5:18 pm
thanks for providing that email. Let’s hope they put humanity above ideology and listen to BadRap and others who actually KNOW that dogs can be rescued successfully from fighters, rather than PETA, HSUS and others whose agenda is to demonize these poor victims
Comment by EmilyS — August 23, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
What in heaven is happening to pets?! Last night on the news there were 3 stories regarding sick-os torturing animals. The first story was about 3 dogs, looked like pitbulls, starved in a yard. The tv station said they couldn’t show most of the footage it was so bad. The dogs were euthanized. The owner said he had no money to feed them. When police checked his pocket, he had $1200. The second story was about a 3 yr mix-terrier. Someone took her out of her yard and THREW her through a WINDOW of a house where there was a pit bull. Police brought the man to the house, where in the basement his terrier lay. He took her to a vet and could not save her due to so many internal injuries. He says his dog was murdered. He adored her. Was someone imitating Vick and doing this out of revenge to the terrier owner or the pit bull owner. The third story was a german shepard was found stabbed to death pressed up against walls of a elementary school. A filet knife was found nearby. This just brings tears to me and sickness in my heart. I can’t think of anything to say about all this horrible torture.
Comment by VJ — August 24, 2007 @ 8:20 am
Breaking news story this afternoon - Vick signs paperwork to plead guilty. Says he never received any money.
HA. Does the cow jump over the moon?
Comment by VJ — August 24, 2007 @ 10:48 am
More breaking news: Go to CNN.com and click on the link (below Vick picture) that says “Vick: My role in killing dogs”. It is a .pdf file of the legal plea agreement.
Comment by perkysmom — August 24, 2007 @ 11:24 am