Stick to Football, Not Dogfighting, Michael Vick!by Courtney Mroch | More from this Blogger 25 May 2007 06:37 AM Whatever happened to the days when NFL stars shined? These days they make as many plays off the field as on --except instead of scoring touchdowns, they're involved in stuff like murder (a la OJ Simpson) or running dogfighting rings. "Say what?" you might be asking if you haven't heard about Michael Vick, a football player for the Atlanta Falcons. He's under investigation for running a dogfighting ring out of his home. As far as I'm concerned, this is as serious as OJ possibly killing his ex-wife. Why? Because if it's determined the dogs are fighting dogs, they will be euthanized. Which is just a polite way of saying the dogs will be murdered. According to the Humane Society of the United States, such dogs don't qualify for rehabilitation or adoption to another family. They're bred to be aggressive to other dogs, which makes them unpredictable and dangerous. They could attack, and potentially kill, a young child, a neighbor's pet, or even the new owner. That's why they're almost always put down when seized. The fact that an innocent animal has to die because humans corrupted its innocence infuriates me every time I hear about it. (Don't even get me started on why it's okay to give a human killer jail time -even if it is a life sentence, they still get to live--or even the chance at redemption, but we can't do the same for animals.) So not only did these dogs suffer a violent lifestyle, never having the chance to see the many kindnesses us humans are capable of towards animals, now their lives are over. Yet, Michael Vick will get...what? He's claiming that he let his cousin live at his house and supposedly didn't know the large on-property kennel (66 dogs were taken) was involved in any illegal activity. Dogfights generate big bucks and rowdy crowds, yet he didn't know about it? Riiiight. Well, if it is found he's involved, the good news is dogfighting is a felony in Georgia. However, possession of dogs for fighting and being a spectator at a dogfight are legal. I don't know what penalties Mr. Vick will ultimately suffer, if anything, but euthanizing him sounds pretty good to me. And that doesn't necessarily mean putting him to sleep per se, just his career. See how he likes it. Related Articles Just in Time for National Dog Bite Prevention Week 2007 Learn more about Courtney Mroch  Courtney Mroch is a wife, a proud pet parent, and a writer. She's been with her husband, high school sweetheart Wayne Pryor, over 20 years, married 11 of those. She's "mom" to Mr. Meow, a.k. Relevantpets tags User Comments ArlieRufus (5) 30 Jul 2007 06:20 AMDOG FIGHTING AND MIKE VICK Yes…it’s no surprise that the Arlie Rufus is going to comment on this terrible incident. After all, if not for the grace of God and some good hearts, Arlie Rufus would not be here to bring attention to those without a voice. Arlie Rufus is not here to rip Mike Vick apart before his day in court. Despite the dubious way this country’s justice department has been managed for the past few years, Arlie Rufus believes in the system and that all are innocent until proven guilty. Arlie Rufus is here to rip the freaks and psychopaths who revel in the barbaric, so-called â€Å"sport†of dog fighting. The events described in the indictment are terrible, as is what Arlie Rufus has discovered about dog fighting â€" that this â€Å"entertainment†is actually about sick, twisted, selfish pleasure, petty bets and chump change â€Å"prize†money. In a country where we have an abundance of legal and non-sadistic ways to entertain ourselves, there are some who actually believe the fighting to the death of two terrorized dogs is a premiere form of entertainment. Have these Godless people completely lost touch with their humanity? Have they returned to barbarian days of old when fighting to the death was put in coliseums? Some took a cheap shot at Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia for his speech on the senate floor when he labeled dog fighting barbaric. Those who poked fun at Senator Byrd should also be ashamed of themselves. His term barbaric was on the money! Whoever committed the crimes in Virginia and those engaged in dog fighting are sadistic barbarians who should be strung up in the town square. Let Arlie Rufus make it clear â€" football, the Falcons and Vick are a favorite of this Atlanta resident. Sundays (and now Monday nights from time to time thanks to the excitement of Mike) are tremendously exciting thanks to seeing Mike and the birds on the field. Arlie Rufus enjoys kicking back on the couch and pulling the Falcons on to victory. But there is now a cloud â€" a cloud that sickens so many. Arlie Rufus knows with no uncertainty -- all dogs want and need are love and affection â€" and to be a part of a pack. And in return, these four-legged friends will give the same back. So Arlie Rufus is asking all of you who read this â€" and I hope that includes Mike Vick â€" to take this opportunity to bring attention to our four-legged friends. Support your local Humane Society (http://www.hsus.org/) and the no-kill animal shelters in your community. When you are out shopping near a local pet store or grocery store and you see those wonderful volunteers trying to find a home for the beautiful pets on display â€" considering adopting one. And if you cannot adopt, donate your time or money to help a homeless pet find a home. We (and this includes you Mike Vick and the Falcons) have a rare opportunity to make great strides in the adoption of pets across this country. This issue gives us light to tell the story about the neglected, abandoned and yes, unfortunately, tortured pets. Let’s not waste this opportunity. Instead of protesting at the Falcons and NFL headquarters, use the time to volunteer at an animal shelter. Instead of spending money to buy poster board and markers to make a sign, donate the dollars to a local humane society or animal shelter (email me if you want the names of shelters in your area…it would be my pleasure to assist arlierufus@yahoo.com). And this plea does not go out to just the protestors of Mike Vick, but to his supporters as well. If you have the time and money to hold a sign for hours in front of a headquarters, you have the time and money to help a pet get care and find a home â€" think about it! We have seen our country go through so much pain in recent years. Some pain that could have been avoided (Iraq) and some that we hope taught us all about humanity (Katrina and the Gulf Coast). We are certain to face more challenges, and yes pain, in the years to come. But let us not inflict upon defenseless animals such a tragic fate. Let us instead show compassion to pets of all kinds and allow them to give all of us the love that fills their hearts. Do not let this opportunity pass. Arlie Rufus www.myspace.com/arlierufus  Courtney Mroch (9169) 30 Jul 2007 08:13 AMWhat lovely sentiments, Arlie Rufus. Your heart is in the right place, and it was interesting to hear from someone in the Atlanta area. I hope the Falcons DO take a line on one of your great suggestions...that a way they could turn all this around positively is to encourage more adoptions and perhaps sponsor adoption drives and such. Thanks for taking the time to share your passionate views! Community Tags dogfighting, dogfights, football, Michael Vick Discuss this article
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