Michael Vick Testifies Before Congress on Anti-Dog Fighting Bill

It just doesn’t stop, does it?

Michael Vick, NFL player and better-known-as-dog-killer testified before Congress about the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (Bill HR 2492) that aims to add some “teeth” to laws that prohibit animal fighting. The bill makes attending organized animal fights a felony. Currently, only the actual organizer of the event faces punishment. The bill would impose penalties of up to a year in prison and fines for attending an animal fight, and a penalty of up to three years in prison and fines for bringing or allowing a minor to attend.

Vick says it’s about breaking the cycle and teaching kids not to get involved in this crime.

“It’s tough when you are caught up in that lifestyle…you aren’t worrying about what people think…you’re just reacting…you’re doing things unconsciously,” said Vick.

And who was by his side? Humane Society president and CEO Wayne Pacelle.

It made my stomach turn when Pacelle first embraced Vick. What are your thoughts?

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Rebecca Braglio Rebecca

Although she went to law school and later became a criminal defense attorney, her true love was always pets – especially dogs. After becoming the proud parent of a Yorkshire Terrier named Dash, she created her own blog called, “The Philly Dog” to showcase pet-friendly Philadelphia and to have an outlet to discuss Dash’s struggles with severe separation anxiety.

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3 Comments

Kristin Henson July 20, 2011

There was someone who posted a comment on the CNN article about this, and I think they summed it up pretty well. Here’s what they said.
“The Vick discussion comes down to 2 types of people more or less….the people who are naive enough to believe Vick when he says he is sorry… and the people who are smart enough to know that when someone beats, tortures, starves, electrocutes, drowns, stomps, slaughters, and forces dogs to rip each other to shreds for amusement and gambling purposes for 15+ years…they are so far gone that any sorry is empty. THAT said…while his feelings of remorse are empty…as sociopaths just do not get better….unless they lose a $100 million dollar contract of course… I say let him use his name to further something like this. If that is what it takes to get it into the public, then bravo. I just know I don’t believe his guilt for a second…just glad he isn’t a completely useless piece of trash now and there is some sort of value to him walking the earth and breathing.”

I’m not a fan of Vick for what he’s done, and I refuse to support the Eagles because of it. But if he can use whatever clout he has to raise awareness or change things, even if it’s just a PR move, then at least one good thing is coming out of this.
Sam August 4, 2011

What Vick did was beyond reprehensible… but if he’s doing the legwork to get something like this pushed through, on top of his school speeches against animal cruelty, I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt. I realize it’s not the popular position to take, but people can & do change.