Commentary: Michael Vick, dog fighting and the ASPCA

by Beverly Salisbury

Dog fights, chicken fights, dog vs hog fights.....It is all the same, sickening. Unspeakable time and money are spent on perfecting a species of animal that will fight to the death, never knowing a patient hand or a soft voice. The only thing these animals experience, is the code of survival.....no glory, medals, or prizes. Realizing that this 'sport', as some call it, has been around for ages, it is not likely that is will be stricken from the issues in life. However, one animal saved is better than turning away and doing nothing....

Who is to say that the very people involved with such a vicious 'sport' could one day act out the same scenario in their daily lives with family, friends or others. Contributors to this type of violent act should never again have the privilege of owning or being in contact with any animal. This 'sport' can also be likened to those people who constantly have children, to whom they can not give proper care. They should not be allowed to continue populating the world if there is no compassion for the new life they formed.

Who you are does not make animal abuse go away. Having a higher rank in life does not erase the scars, blood and the smell of death that radiates from the arena of destruction. I believe that if you look into the eyes of every abused animal, you will find the question, 'Why Me?'.