Today, Michael Vick’s attorney announced that Vick has apologized and is taking full responsibility for his actions in relation to federal dogfighting charges. When Vick pleads guilty in court, a case that has jolted the conscience of a nation will have reached something of a conclusion.

The Humane Society of the United States has charted an increase in law enforcement activity since the Vick indictment, with at least 32 animal fighting rings broken up in 15 states in just the last month alone. Vast numbers of other cases, however, need attention -- and to that end, we’ve doubled our standard reward to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of dogfighters.

Our phones are ringing off the hook with requests for help by law enforcement officials, who often want our expertise in both investigating these crimes and coordinating the logistics involved in rescuing large numbers of animals from abusive situations.

In fact, our Animal Cruelty Response and Reward Fund was created to make this work possible. In addition to enabling us to offer rewards, this fund helps underwrite our undercover investigations, our work assisting local law enforcement, our championing of tougher laws, and our highly trained response teams that rescue animals from large-scale cruelty cases.

We must not let the scourge of animal fighting continue after the publicity surrounding the Vick case recedes. Please thank the U.S. Attorneys today, and help make our cruelty response work possible for tomorrow.

Thank you for all you have done to protect animals victimized in these sickening staged battles.

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States

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Full details of the case, and just what evidence was found at Vick's property:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Newz_Kennels_dog_fighting_investigation#July_17_Indictments

High points:

"The Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation began in April 2007 with a search of property in Surry County, Virginia owned by Atlanta Falcons football quarterback Michael Vick, and the subsequent discovery of evidence of a dog fighting ring. Over fifty dogs, mostly pit bull terriers, with some said to be showing signs of injuries, were seized, along with physical evidence. Additionally, a number of dog carcasses were reportedly recovered during several subsequent searches of Vick's 15-acre property by local, state and federal authorities.

In July 2007, Vick and three other men were indicted on federal felony and misdemeanor charges relating to a six-year long continuing criminal enterprise of an interstate dog fighting ring known as "Bad Newz Kennels", apparently based upon a local nickname for Newport News, Vick's hometown.[1] Allegations included Vick's direct involvement in dog fighting, high stakes gambling, and brutal executions of dogs."
"

"By August 20, all the defendants on the initial federal charges including Vick had agreed to guilty pleas under plea bargain agreements, apparently avoiding facing the possibility of additional and more serious charges under the powerful Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, [2] [3] While terms have not been disclosed, prosecutors reportedly offered Vick a deal which would allow him to plead guilty only to a single felony charge. Based upon sentencing guidelines, the defendants would likely receive sentences of 12 to 18 months in federal prison. [4] However, Judge Hudson, who is not bound by sentencing recommendations in plea agreements, had previously advised two of the defendants that the aggravated circumstances involving executing the dogs warranted an upward revision of the sentencing guidelines. Vick will appear before Judge Hudson on August 27 to submit his own guilty plea. In a statement released by his lawyer, Vick agreed "to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made."


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Why I give a damn:

Very often, I get into heated discussions with people over why pit bulls, rottweilers and Dobermans are dogs that I do not believe should be bought or sold by backyard breeders, and why I do not want these dogs around me, and why I disagree with having them around children or other dogs.

My position is not a popular one, and that's okay, but I truly believe that on the non-show/professional level, these breeds are simply ruined. Yes, I understand that you know of lots of dogs that are not violent, and yes, I'm sure that the dog you know could never be capable of an attack, yadda yadda. I'm not blaming the dogs, I'm blaming the people. The dogs are just the victims here, and it's sad, and horrible that they have been being bred to this ideal of violence for the sake of money and status. I am tired of the 'tough guy' image of a tough dog on a chain as an accessory. Not because it degrades the dog--I don't think that high fashion ladies dressing up their dog are a problem, but the idea that a violent dog is a cool thing to have has permeated our culture to a sickening degree. I'm not talking about black folk or white folk here either, dog fighting (not to mention cock fighting) are attended, supported and supervised by people of all different cultures, and all in the name of being tough, and making LOTS of money.

These are lucrative businesses that exploit, injure and kill many, many dogs. This is an industry that destroys non-violent dogs and breeds violent and unstable ones. This is a signal to even non-dogfight citizens that a cool guy should have a big cool dog, unfortunately whose bloodline is very likely to lead back to one of these fighting dogs. Even if they do not descend from them, the 'look' is that of a large head (and jaw), and 80 percent of the people who buy from backyard breeders are not able to control or train these dogs properly, so they often end up as strays or in the pounds. Let's not forget the dogs that are poisoned because the neighbors are afraid of them. Have you ever seen a poisoned dog die? It's a slow, messy, painful death.

Until you have worked or volunteered in the animal sector, it is hard to grasp the numbers, it is impossible to see just what sort of neglect, injuries, mental instability and violent tendencies we are talking about here. I stopped volunteering at the local pound when they went no kill. Not because I am into killing animals, but because I believe more homes can be found by euthanizing animals that are unwanted or unsafe. It sounds cold to put it that way, but my point is this--all of us are affected by this dog fighting thing, it doesn't just stop in these disgusting moneymaking venues, or in the lower class neighborhoods. The stray dogs are everywhere. The people traveling with their poorly trained killing machines are everywhere. T-shirts and jeans with pictures of attack dog cartoons are being marketed to children. I'm sure people think I am overreacting, and again, that's okay. I hope that I am wrong, actually. But Michael Vick is a symbol, and his involvement in this financial enterprise is simply disgusting.