Michael Vick...Grrrr!

[Kevin Poole, Penny & Ozzy]

Even though I'm a Brit, I'm a big fan of what you Americans mistakenly call Football. I hear today that Michael Vick has been reinstated by the NFL. I'm just hoping that no team picks up that bastard, what he did is unforgivable, and the punishment, as usual for animal abuse, wasn't nearly enough!....Those poor Pit Bulls!...I say again...UNFORGIVABLE!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

"To them seeing these big tough muscle bound dogs duke it out is 'cool'. They just don't get how it is unfair and cruel. Several of them grew up in Mexico where at least cock fighting was really the norm so a dog is just another animal that looks 'cool' when it fights"
That's exactly the point. And it's hard to change most of the things that cause pain in this world. Some of us try anyway, lol.
I just think it would be worthwhile for those of us who are outraged to realize that this was an impoverished, illiterate teenager who was suddenly handed a $25 million dollar contract and didn't know there was anything wrong with finally being able to emulate the "heroes" of his childhood with a few fighting dogs of his own. (Truly, if you watch the reactions of some of Vick's teammates when news of the arrests came out, they honestly think the reporters are joking, that someone could be arrested because of anything having to do with a dog.) Our job is to maybe show them how real heroes treat dogs...and everyone else.

[Adina P]

It's such a hard mindset to change Karen. I see it in my Juvie kids that Rosco and I used to visit. We hit upon the topic a couple times and a few of them raved about "how cool" it was. To them seeing these big tough muscle bound dogs duke it out is 'cool'. They just don't get how it is unfair and cruel. Several of them grew up in Mexico where at least cock fighting was really the norm so a dog is just another animal that looks 'cool' when it fights. It's just unfathomable to me, but not that odd to them. Of course I pushed the topic and tried to get them to realize that it's ONE thing when a human (with the power to choose) CHOOSES to fight for sport. It's NOT the same when a dog (who has been forced) is put in a situation where it can lose it's life or be painfully injured in the process. I repeated to them many times that it is NOT okay. It IS cruel. It IS wrong. Tried to get them to think of what it might be like if someone else had complete control over them and forced them to do things that injured them in the same way...against their will. Not sure if any of it sank in. It's a hard mindset to change.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Michael Vick lost more 50 million dollars, between endorsements and NFL contracts; sometimes, people who have no hearts feel the punishment most when it hits them in the wallet. Let's hope so.
I also hope that everyone here will realize that the way to stop future Michael Vicks is to educate young people in all communities about animal cruelty and dog fighting. Michael Vick was a HS senior when he was drafted into the NFL; a very young man from a poverty stricken background with no education and nobody to guide him or show him a different way. In his experience, and in the experience of the cronies who surrounded him, there was absolutely nothing wrong with what they were doing; that was simply the way dogs were treated where they came from. Add money to that mindset, and you have the recipe for what followed. Those who are truly outraged by the Michael Vick case need to look beyond the one central player to our society's attitudes towards dog ownership as a whole, and ask yourself what you can do to help stop dog fighting in your own community.

[Chris & Boys]

Kevin, I don't know if you have to be sensitive to shed a tear over this crime.....you just have to have a heart. Michael Vick is a monster. Plain and simple. He is not worthy of the same air my pups breath.

[Kevin Poole, Penny & Ozzy]

I don't know whether anyone watches Dogtown on NatGeo, some of the worst cases of Vick's Pit Bulls were taken there...brings on tears...I'm a very sensitive guy!

[Jeanie]

I read somewhere that the Ravens were considering him...I lived in MD for quite a few years and watched the Ravens ALOT....I sure hope that is not true. I agree with everyone else...it just makes my stomach roll, I had to turn away when they would show the photos of those poor dogs. I pray that no one picks this man.

[Chris & Boys]

Well, I think he hasn't been punished sufficiently yet. I think he should be put in a pen with a pissed off and very hungry Bear. (Not a Chicago bear)

Unfortunately, he is an athlete. For some reason, they are usually held above the law and can be the most vile beings on this earth, but that doesn't matter. What matters is if they can help make a team money. And boys, little or full grown, will still admire them. It is quite unhealthy.....

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Agreed! Kevin,

You Brits are smarter than you think--go Soccer :)

[Kevin Poole, Penny & Ozzy]

That's what my wife and I have said, doesn't matter who picks him, we will not watch that team.

[Michele Barton]

I totally agree! I'm not a football fan, but I was living in Atlanta when all of this went down, signed a petition to kick him out of the NFL. Many, many Falcons fans signed it too, there are a lot of good people there! Some will say that he paid his debt, but I don't think so. I read the entire indictment (worked at a law firm) - what went on was unconscionable.