Commentary: Michael Vick, dog fighting and the ASPCA

by Donna Park

Michael Vick should most definitely be punished for what he has done. I read an article that said we should not take away Vick's Livelihood over a dog. To that person I say this; Michael Vick BROKE THE LAW! Dog fighting is a felony in almost every state and when someone commits a felony they must be punished!

Vick knowingly and willingly broke the law by fighting these poor, defenseless animals. If it had been any other felony would we even be having this debate? We have laws for a reason and they must be upheld.

For those who say,"it was just a dog" I invite you to go to your local ASPCA and take a look at the victims of these dog fights. It is cruel and inhumane and has to be stopped. For anyone to condone this type of behavior just infuriates me. These animals feel pain just as we do.

People who fight dogs mistreat them severely. The things that these dog fighters do is unthinkable. To prepare their dog for a fight these people often keep their dogs on a huge logging chain to build up their muscles and stamina. The dogs never get to run and play and just "be dogs". They are often put on treadmills until their paws bleed or they just collapse from exhaustion. The living conditions of these animals is also deplorable. A very short, or very heavy chain and little to no shelter is what these poor pit bulls call home. If the dogs fail to "win", their fate is even worse than the lives they've lead prior to it. They are beaten to death, electrocuted or even tied up with their noses and mouths bound then left to die.
To support Michael Vick is to support this cruelty.

So yes, Vick should be punished and in my opinion he should lose his job. Even those who don't see anything wrong with fighting dogs must agree that Vick has committed a felony and should be punished accordingly.

Thank you