Should Vick really do time for killing dogs?

Question

I know somw of you have participated in this type of question, but I had to see the answers for myself. He has no previous record, and though killing dogs is viewed as "inhumane", I see plenty of dead animals, including dogs along the country roads and highways I drive. I feel like this is a witch hunt and that it doesn't warrant jail time. I mean it was only 8 dogs. Why is the FBI involved? Why is that I get the feeling that this has more to do with letting OJ off than it does killing a few aggressive dogs?

It may seem like I minimize this action, because to me there are more serious crimes committed by players, and the public in general. I don't think this is deserving of jail time. Your thoughts, in a well thought out, respectful manner, please! Please no disrespectful comments!!!

I didn't mean that those dogs were killed accidently. I've seen dogs ride in the bed of trucks and then the owner makes a sudden stop sending the dog flying out of the truck.

What about hunting? Isn't that inhumane? It isn't for the survival of us in terms of eating. Where's PETA to protest that? Hunting in America is about the same in my book.

I have dogs. I don't fight them though.

Answer 1

The problem is, people have mixed up priorities because they can't see beyond their own narrow lives. Some people have and REALLY love their dogs. If Michael Vick had killed THEIR dog, they wouldn't have wanted him to go to jail, they would have wanted him to go to the electric chair.

Now, I like animals. I have 2 cats, and frankly, if someone intentionally hurt one of them, woe to them and their posterity forever. BUT...

They can't protect little kids walking home from school from gang violence. They can't keep crack dealers out of kindergarten. They can't deal with the insurgents in Iraq. They can't get people to walk in crosswalks. They can't keep people from scalping tickets to the Yankees games. They can't keep cops from shooting innocent people. They can't keep muggers from punching old ladies in the face. They can't deal with the epidemic of teenage pregnancy. They can't make a tax code that is fair. They can't deal with the immigration problem. They can't keep dirty politicians from stealing everything they can get their hands on...

BUT at least they can keep ALL pro quarterbacks from killing dogs. Now I feel better about the country I live in...

Not.

Answer 2

It's not only the horrific way he killed those 8 dogs, but the way the many others were raised specifically for fighting. Do you know how a dog is raised to be aggressive? It's abused. A lot. Have you ever had a pet? Now imagine someone abusing it in every way imaginable so that eventually it will be pitted against other dogs in a battle to the death. Dog fighting is disghusting and deplorable. It happens all over, yes, and authorities are doing what they can to get to all those who abuse animals. Why do you have more respect for a professional athlete who used his money for such filth than for these innocent creatures? Even if his defense is true, that it was only on his property, he should still be held liable.

Answer 3

The Michael Vick case became so huge because of the shock value. You don't hear about the electrocution and severe beating of dogs every day. Most people never thought about dog fighting every day either. Add in the fact that it involved a top player from the biggest league and you have a gigantic story. When we're introduced to a shocking new story in this country, we jump on it and it becomes a huge issue. I agree that it seems very odd to treat him like Hitler and ignore the many human deaths that occur everyday. However, the rarity of this case along with the cruelty involved caused the overwhelming uproar.

Answer 4

I do believe that he should not do jail time however if you take a look at your last sentence in your question box you stated do not answer with any disrespectfully comments. Ha>
Well I'm sorry but I feel he should be put in a all out fighting ring where everything goes. Kicking biting,slapping,pounding, pulling hair and poking your eyes, against five men three times his size. Your right about one thing only--No Jail Time. Basically he was way off base in participating in dog fights to the death. What kind of an example is that for our children.

Answer 5

Lock him up. The FBI is involved because of the illegal gambling involved. Those charges carry more time than they cruelty to animals.

You said where is PETA protesting hunting. They have always protested hunting.

As far as dogs flying out of the bed of pick ups, it has probably happened but don't give the impression that it is a dialy occurence, and if that were to have happened it isn't intentional. If I get into an accicent and kill someone sould I do the same jail time as if I force 2 people to fight to the death and if one doesn't do it well I will hang them?

Answer 6

The dead animals you see on the roadside are dead because somebody accidentally killed them. Vick is accused of torturing dogs by electrocuting them, shooting them, beating them, etc. He was also allegedly involved in fighting them, which is illegal in this country thank god, because it is cruel and inhumane. The FBI is involved because dog fighting is covered under the federal racketeering laws.

The dogs were "aggressive" because Vick and his cohorts made them that way, and besides, they were killed because they weren't aggressive enough for the maniacs who were fighting them.

You are correct, there are crimes that could be considered more serious than animal cruelty, but study after study has shown that people who abuse animals are far more likely to abuse humans as well. They are much more likely to engage in other types of criminal behavior.

This has absolutely nothing to do with OJ. This has to do with people behaving in an illegal and barbaric manner. I guarantee they knew they were breaking the law, and ALL of the individuals involved should go to prison.

Answer 7

I'm torn--on the one hand my vegetarian conscience says that killing all animals is inherently inhumane. On the other, dog-fighting is barbarism unmitigated.

I've seen videos from a slaughterhouse, and those animals suffer a LOT when they die, and lead terrible lives leading up to their deaths, too. Stuffed full of drugs, living in feedlots stomping around in their own feces, locked in cages, etc. All so we can have $2.00 a pound hamburger.

Is dog fighting worse? I don't know. It certainly seems like the suffering inflicted on the dogs is totally needless, and done just for human entertainment. There's something gory about people who get their jollies by watching animals in pain.

I think a long term community service and some education is in order for Michael Vick.

Answer 8

Yes because there are more things going on than just the incredibly cruel pit fights (illegal all by itself). There is the kidnapping of family pets that are used to "train" the fighters (how else do you think the pits get used to the idea of killing). There is the illegal betting. There is the FEDERAL crime of transporting dogs across state lines for the purpose of both betting and fighting.
Vick is done.
He had better take the 2 years he is going to be offered and he had better be humble.
By the way the 8 dogs are just the ones they found or heard about. You can bet it is way more than that.

Sorry Vick may be someone you like as a player, but he has really, really, really bad judgement in hobbies and friends.

Answer 9

The killing and abuse of animals is never considered that terrible to people who don't value them as they might if it was their dog or any other animal they have as pets. He deserves to have the maximum penalty if convicted. The true irony is that He would get involved with a barbaric "sport" of dog fighting with so much to lose if caught. Strangulation and electrocution of the losing animals shows total lack of compassion or empathy for an animal that did nothing but get mauled by another dog so people could bet on the fight. Yes, He should pay with jail time if convicted. This "sport' is big business for breeders of dogs, that are trained to fight and try to kill another dog so lowlife idiots can bet on the outcome.

Answer 10

Yes, I think he should do time for it. Aside from it being inhumane, cruelty to animals whatever the charges are he is a role model for all of our children. As parents it is our ultimate responsibility to give our children a set of values and morals, but he is in the public eye. If he did not do time for his deeds what kind of message is that sending our youth. It would tell them that being rich and famous makes you above the law. Why should he be above the law? Do you think if you were caught in the same situation the law would show you any mercy. I do not think so. Unfortunately money and status are power the majority of the time, but it should not be. Everyone should be accountable for their actions just the same. I want my children to grow thinking that all are equal be it for good deeds or bad.

Answer 11

I agree with you, but unfortunately we cannot pick and choose the laws we should or should not enforce. If the law's on the books he has to be charged. Personally, I think he's already been punished enough. This guy has lost zillions.

This is what I don't like. The other dudes are now copping pleas so the dog chasers can make this into a high profile case. They're hoping this will influence others to shut down these Roman inspired animal fights. I hope they do. I just don't think they should punish him more than any other citizen. A fine and probation. That's all.