Dog fighting is widespread. Despite drawing a felony charge in 48 states and a misdemeanor in Idaho and Wyoming, vast underground networks, usually connected with gang activity, drug trafficking, illegal gambling and murder, boldly operate throughout the country.
On May 3, 2007, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act was signed into law by President Bush. This federal law, the result of powerful lobbying by animal protection groups, provides a penalty of up to three years of jail time and up to a $250,000 fine for each offense of interstate or foreign transport of animals for fighting purposes. Equipped with this new legislation, the USDA, supported by local law enforcement agencies and animal welfare societies can now aggressively go after the animal fighting syndicates.
Just over two months after the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act went into effect, federal authorities slapped charges of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture on Michael Vick and three other men, who operated the Bad Newz Kennels. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was accused of financing the operations, participating in dog fights and executions, and in gambling activities. In a raid involving a drug investigation, sixty-six dogs, some injured, were seized along with paraphernalia of a dog fighting operation.
After initially denying any knowledge of the operations, Vick and the three defendants entered a guilty plea on August 27th. Vick has been suspended indefinitely without pay from the National Football League and may lose the $22 million bonus from his 2004 contract. Companies are withdrawing his endorsements and products. Some former fans are allowing their dogs to chew up Vick cards and then selling them on e-Bay for money to donate to dog rescues. Others are donating their Vick jersies to shelters for dog bedding or as cleaning rags. A popular cartoon depicting Vick in the hot seat with a jury of various breeds of dogs glaring at him is currently circulating the Internet.
As the shadowy secrets of dog fighting come to light, some hope for something positive to result. Chris DeRose, President and Founder of Last Chance for Animals, proposes that Vick be suspended from football approximately 6 years, pay strong fines to animal rescue organizations, and undertake a national public service campaign against dog fighting and animal cruelty. Under DeRose’s proposal, Vick’s failure to carry out any of these would result in his service of a full sentence.
Vick and the three other defendants could receive up to five years in federal prison when Judge Hudson hands down sentencing on December 10th. According to ESPN's Chris Mortensen Vick stands to lose approximately $100 million as a result of his conviction.
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The Fate of Michael Vick's Dogs
