Pet Tracks
THE HORRIFIC WORLD OF DOG FIGHTING

"A society is judged by the way it treats its animals." -- Gandhi

By the time this article hits the streets, Atlanta Falcon's star quarterback Michael Vick will have had his chat with U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson in Richmond, Virginia, regarding his plea and sentencing date for his involvement in the federal dog fighting conspiracy charge, which could result in a prison term from one to five years. Judge Hudson, owner of a Bichon Frise, has a reputation for being tough with his sentences, and personally, I hope he throws the book at him.

The 18-page indictment details practices in the highly secretive, vicious and illegal world of dog fighting. It alleges that Vick, one of the highest paid football players in this country, along with three of his friends, ran a dog-fighting ring and were involved in inhumane training practices, deals, bets and cruel canine executions. It claims in 2001, Vick bought a 15-acre property in Surry, Virginia, fencing it off from public view, where American pit bull terriers were kept, trained and fought under the venture, Bad Newz Kennels.

More than 60 dogs, some injured, were taken from his property, along with equipment typically associated with dog fighting: blood stained carpet, a "rape stand" used for breeding uncooperative females and other evidence to support the ongoing activities of this cruel blood sport.

While Vick's defense team claims he used poor judgment in associating with those involved and says his role was limited, his three buddies changed their tune from an initial, "We're innocent," to "We're guilty," in a plea-bargained deal involving testifying against Vick. In his own plea bargain, Vick agreed to charges of conspiracy to cross state lines to engage in illegal activity and sponsoring a dog in a dog fighting venture, and it is expected he will deny allegations that he took part in any of the cruel killings as well as had any involvement in illegal gambling. The National Football League (NFL) has strict policies against gambling, and if proven otherwise, Vick could be barred from professional football forever.

As it is, he has lost more than his dignity. Nike suspended its lucrative contract the end of last week, and Reebok, the official uniform supplier of the NFL, removed all of his #7 jerseys from their stores. Top trading card company, Dunross, whose owner Ann Powell has five dogs accompanying her to work daily, has pulled Vick's card from any future 2007 releases. NFLCommissioner, Roger Goddell, suspended Vick indefinitely without pay and gave the Falcons permission to "assert any claims or remedies" to recover $22 million of Vick's signing bonus from the 10-year $130-million contract signed in 2004.

Humane organizations have been decrying the horrible and heinous nature of this practice and urging support for tougher dog fighting laws. In its August 20th statement, the American Kennel Club (AKC) says, "This story is distressing…yet it is creating a national dialogue about dog fighting, illegal in all 50 states and a felony in 48, and often at the bottom of the priority list in terms of crimes that authorities investigate and pursue. Hopefully, the Vick case will serve as a beacon…." But the AKC is also concerned about backlash breed-specific legislation, which implies the dogs are at fault, not the victims, sadistically manipulated by owners motivated by greed and cruelty.

According to Scott Giacoppo, Deputy Director of Advocacy and former law enforcement officer for the MSPCA, people who fight dogs move in three different circles: professional, hobbyist and street fighters. The professionals make their living exploiting and torturing animals, earning big money. Hobbyists operate similarly, but on a smaller scale. Street fighters are generally spontaneous in nature and often involve gang confrontations.

Dog fights are sadistic contests in which two dogs, often mistreated, isolated or starved to make them more aggressive and mean, are placed, usually in a pit enclosed by plywood walls, to fight each other until one gives up or dies from its injuries. The American pit bull terrier is often used because of its tenacious manner and powerful jaws. This breed, which advocates insist make wonderful, docile pets when properly handled and socialized, is very adaptable and, to its detriment, can be trained into a terrible fighting machine.

Dog fights can last 20 minutes, an hour, or several hours. Dogs used in these events are typically injured, experiencing blood loss, shock and infection, and because of the clandestine nature of this "sport," veterinary care is nonexistent. Other disturbing byproducts of this cycle of violence are the presence of illegal gambling, drugs, weapons and guns because of the large amounts of money changing hands, and the exposure of young children, who are often in attendance, to such inhumane and cruel activities.

Tougher laws are being proposed, and in some states, including Massachusetts, have been enacted, but often minor penalties and fines are not a sufficient deterrent to those involved in this lucrative blood sport; they just are a cost of doing business.

In one of his last official acts in January, Massachusetts Governor Romney signed H. 1765 into law which makes it illegal to breed, loan, sell, export or transfer animals for the purposes of animal fighting and gives law enforcement officials the power to seize animal fighting paraphernalia and offspring of animals intended for fighting. On the same day Vick pled not guilty, U.S. Senator John Kerry introduced new legislation aimed at eliminating dog fighting. Two other bills, H.1527 and 1529, sponsored by State Rep. Louis Kafka, would increase penalties for being a spectator at a dog fighting event or for creating visual or auditory depictions of a dog fighting event.

Michael Vick still has to own up to his actions, and in addition to his federal offense he may face criminal charges from the state of Virginia, where dog fighting is a felony, for violating its cruelty laws. If you think that Vick, along with his three co-defendants Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of Virginia law, contact the Virginia Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter, Surry County, P.O. Box 358, Surry VA 23883, phone 757-294-3118; fax 757-294-

3560. No e-mail address is given. I

Jan Jaeger is owner of Geronimo's, Ltd., Nantucket's pet supply and gift shop, and is a member of DWAA and CWA (Dog and Cat Writer's Associations of America). Her pets at home are Junior, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and three cats. At the shop are the cats, Messrs. Fish and Chips, Flower bunny, Willie guinea pig and two budgies. Send e-mail to jan@geronimos.com