EverythingDogBlog #144: Michael Vick’s Debt to Society (and to Canines)
Does one ever fully pay off one’s debt to society? Perhaps not, since ex-cons are not permitted to vote in elections.
The controversy about Michael Vick lingers on and has reared its ugly head once again: he has been traded to the Jets and continues to ‘play ball’ and rake in the dough. He is good at that.
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Yes, he served time. Yes, he plead Guilty.
When is his debt to society paid? Ever?
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Some say Yes
Some say Yes. These people tend to be the die-hard football fanatics who want to see a good game and a winning team.
Some say Yes because he is working with the Humane Society of the United States to combat dog fighting (but where is the publicity about that?).
Some say Yes, but, when asked by a student, he admitted that he would still be involved in dog fighting if he had not been caught.
Some say No
Some say No. These tend to be “dog people,” shelter and rescue workers and volunteers, pet owners, dog show folks (owners, handlers, breeders, groomers), veterinarians, dog trainers, and more.
Some say No because someone in such a high-visibility position as Vick is, is (or should be) a role model for our youth.
Some say No because they have read the harrowing tale Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tales of Rescue and Redemption by Sports Illustrated (SI) writer Jim Gorant or read his article in SI. Or tried to, but couldn’t stomach reading about the pain Vick and his cronies inflicted on Man’s Best Friend in the name of more money and excitement.
Some say No because they read the recent blog by Raining Cats and Dogs on “Chicago Now.”
I say. . . .
I say No, Never. Or at least not until he devotes his life and his life savings to educating others about the hate-crime of dog fighting and until he becomes the role model he should always have been. I wonder if I will live long enough to see that.
Read more about it at the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Animal Fighting Case Study.
What do you say?
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Soon: My reviews of The Lost Dogs and Saving Audie.
