Vick Indicted in Dog-Fighting Scandal
Along with three others, Vick was charged with conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. If convicted on both counts, each defendant faces up to six years in prison.
Vick also would be subject to a lengthy suspension by the league if he is connected in any way to the operation, even if he agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge. If it is proved within reasonable doubt that the gambling of large sums of cash was a part of the "entertainment", the suspension will be even longer. The NFL historically does not look favorably on those who are involved in operations that promote gambling.
Even if he's not convicted, Vick already appears to hold some degree of responsibility, whether it be through negligence or direct participation. And as the gruesome details of this case are circulated, the cry for action from the league office will grow louder from groups like PETA and the ASPCA.
Fantasy Impact: Because of the uncertainty surrounding Vick and his future in the NFL, we're considering removing his name completely from our 2007 fantasy football cheat sheets. Even if he is not suspended for a major portion of the season, his legal issues are going to be a huge distraction.
Photo: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images
Comments
If Michael Vicks did what he is accused of he is immoral and cruel. How we treat our animals is an extention of what and who we are. They depend on us for their survival and we abuse them and make them suffer. HE is the one who should be fixed, muzzled and BANNED.
I hope justice will be served. If this man is guilty, not all the money in the world can make him look like a decent man when he looks in the mirror. If you are guilty hold your head low. You are disqusting.
if he guilty of participating and helping promote such a cruel act towards animals, he might as well dig his hole now. No one will ever forget.
It’s unthinkable to read what Vick and his thug friends did to these poor dogs. He’s the animal and deserves what they had to go through. I hope any org. who has any business with him, dumps this Pig.
I think Nike should drop him now…I wont buy the Nike product again until they do. They are spineless to wait until after hes convicted.
If he is found guilty, he should be hosed down with water and electrocuted and hung. Just a few of the same things he did to those dogs. An eye for an eye.
Vick is obviously working his way into being a sociopath. He’s started with cruelty to animals and next he’ll be committing the same unspeakable acts against humans. He needs to be fixed so he can no longer reproduct more of his sociopathic, cruel kind.
I suppose everyone who is responding are animal lovers. I agree that IF he did do cruel acts to animals or allowed them to take place on his property, he should be punished with fines and or jail time. But to say that a HUMAN BEING should be hosed with water, electrocuted and hung (Kathy) is the height of ignorance. Who’s being animalistic now? Think about it, to be animalistic is to act in a way that is less than what is expected of a human. For you to feel that a human should be treated that way, reduces you to that level. Animals are lower beings than humans, period. A human life and an animals life are in no way equal no matter how you look at it. In a situation where you could save only one, which would you save, your child or the family pet?
In response to Nicole,
There is no doubt that I would same MY child before my dog but ask me if I would save MY dog or your mother. I would save MY DOG. Your mother means nothing to me and my dog means the world. You view humans as more important than animals. I view animals as gods creatures just as we are and they are entitled to the same respect. I don’t distinguish.
I am horrified, disgusted, and can’t even begin to imagine how a human being can treat any other living thing with such unthinking, evil cruelty. How can anyone have a thread of trust in someone who is so unhuman? Companies who would continue to allow such a person to remain a spokesperson and pay them for it, should be drummed out of business. Humanity is sinking lower and lower into the pit of Hell for the dollar. Shame! Shame! Shame!
I agree with you Nicole. These law abiing people should read their bibles. It says he who is with =out sin, cast the first stone. I don’t like what he is being accused of but if if should be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, I hope he gets what he deserves. No one is above the law not even these people. A life is a life. Cruelty to animals is just as worse as cruelty to human beings. Some were against what happened in the prisons in Iraq and some applauded the soldiers. Go figure that this also was a form of cruelty.
I can’t still understand how can a human being, if I am able to call Vick a “human being”, do that to defenseless creatures. I also can’t understand how someone can bet to see which dog stays alive, thats like betting on humans fighting and seeing which one wins. Then it doesnt only stop there, he keeps going by pouring water and electrocuted and hangind them, that’s just outrageous. I agree with Kathy, because I bet 100% that Vick wouldnt have done what he did to the dogs, if he would of suffer that pian himsel.f
I’d save ANY human over an animal. It’s too bad that you value an animal over a human life. I just hope you’re never in a situation with someone such as yourself who would choose to save their pet over you or your loved ones.
This man is obviously guilty and inhumane crimes. He has given new meaning to the word “inhumane.” People who have no respect for a dog’s life will have not respect for human life, and will eventually hurt a person…my bet is he is an extremely violent man in all aspects of his life. Ignorance is alive an well in this country, and this is a prime example. If the NFL does not dismiss him entirely from “sport” I will be extremeley disappointed in the NFL. He is not a role model for any sport or life!
If he’s guilty as charged, aside from deserving a fine and a long prison sentence, Vick will deserve to be ranked among the most despicable of human beings. Even if he’s found not guilty, many will think he paid his way out of being held accountable. The stigma of this sordid episode will rightfully stay with him for hopefully the rest of his life. If the Universe truly balances everything out, he will be out of football, lose his lucrative endorsement contracts and go broke gambling. He will then be relegated to the streets where he will scrounge for food to eat. Maybe some of the dogs he will be competing with for a scrap of garbage to eat will tear him apart. Justice at last.
Again Nicole, I did not say I value animals over humans, I said I value them both the same. If you had to choose whether to save your child or someone elses who would you choose? Your child of course. I am saying I would save my dog over your mother. To me they are the same and I focus on whether they are a part of my life first.
Nicole, The whole planet is in symbiosis. There is no lower nor higher. Humans as a whole and adults in particular may be judged as being worthy of certain outcomes due to their acts. Vick’s crime is heinious because we are animals’ defenders. If we don’t protect them no one will.
Nicole,
God will save those who deserve. What is sown will be reaped. Be careful of righteousness. It bites back.
What an awful thing they did. It sickens me. Those poor animals. They had no defense of their own. Vick and his friends sure have a lot to learn in this world.
Katrina you are so right! This man deserves at least prison time and huge fines. I think he should be put in a “rape stand” and let someone do to him what was done to the female dogs, so defenseless.Shame on him!!
My dad a decorated combat infantry career soldier used to say you can tell alot about a man’s character by the way he treats little children and animals.
Many in our society are so obsessed with sports and other diversions they won’t be able to see this man has no character.
Nicole and others, the ppl that want to torture this man are sure enough out of line. But it is short sighted to say we are more important than any othet creature on the planet, that justifies in many peoples mind the pollution and absolute arrogance many display towards our planet and the ecosystems that are being destroyed. If there is a God he created the ecology and he gave us the earth to take care of not exploit.
I feel that this atrocity is demeaning to the human society as a whole. This is the year 2007, how can this type of disgusting, cruel “entertainment” reach this proportion. I think Vick should suffer, he is of much less importance to this world than anyone one of the dogs he slaughtered. The dogs he killed could have been someones best friend if nurtured and loved the way God intended.
He does not deserve to play football and I believe he is cruel to animals.
He has no respect for animals or life, this behavior needs to be addressed! He should be punished for the suffering he has caused to the dogs.
I cannot prejudge Mr. Vicks. However, the acts were committed on HIS property. Therefore he shares cupibility for what occured no matter what excuse/s he uses. How anyone can allow/permit/justify these actions is unconscienceable. If convicted he will join a long list of celebrities who have erred in judgement and compassion.
Society today has a very permissive attitude toward Acts of Notority and Infamy. The privilaged (famous)feel they are immuned to any type of prosecution due to their financial status.
Hopefully, if found guilty, he would pay a large price for his want of a new thrill or high. Paying a large fee for a prominent attorney to take charge of this case is not enough nor is a hefty fine. A message needs to be sent all.
YOU HAVE PLACED YOUR LIFE,NAME/IMAGE,AND EARNING POTENTIAL IN JEOPARDY. INSTEAD OF USING YOUR TALENTS FOR GOOD YOU CHOSE THE PATH EASILY TAKEN, SUCCUMBING TO YOUR WANTS
AND FOR WHAT.
Vick: I watched yoou play at VaTech. No more will I watch you. You are scum and Pro football should ban you for life. Pete Rose looks like a boy scout copmpared to the lowly likes of you. You are a loser!!!
If this is true, I believe anyone who uses children or animals who cannot speak for themselves should be punished to the maxium… the law has to be their voices and protect them. Theses dogs are thrown into a small pit and HAVE to fight…till they give up and die in the pit…or injured and then die in another cruel way of the still in the hands of their owner….This does not say much for mankind if we let this go on…and on…
Anybody remember O.J.?? He KILLED two people and is off playing golf!
I’ve owned pitbull dogs for over 20 yrs on and off, I’ve never fought them, but do know that when it’s incouraged, they’re into it! So although I’m not the dogs are! As bad as you all think it is, the real crime is how these idiots treat the dogs that don’t win or weren’t good enough to fight. Trust me what they do to those dogs is way worse then two dogs that fight each other.
I will never buy a product from Nike again. Dog fighting is happening in everyone’s community…not until now does a piece of crap NFL player bring attention to such a horrible sport. and all the money he has he can’t help himself but to be involved with one of the most horrifying acts of cruelty to animals. He should be fired, covered in food and thrown in a jail cell with an angry pitbull. Tit for tat…let’s see how cool he is then….PIECE OF $#%^!!!!! I wish i could be at his trial. does anyone else know what other product he endorses???
dogfighting is sick ,yes but most of you on here are a bunch of cowards .the reason be is that you claim to be lover of animals ,well what about horseracing ,its gamblin ,do these horses want to race ?what about when they break they leg and no good anymore ?how about dogracing ,hunting ,uhh fishing .what about the cosmestics used on animals for womens makeup,what bout the lab rat ? we also buy many goods from the chinese ,why do u not boycott them for their dog practices ……….
Look you neurotic basket case…..if i spent all my time researching the amount of animals that are mistreated I would not have a job, children or any sort of life let alone sanity…then I have to avoid them all ….you don’t know us and know what we practice so leave your puffed up comments for PETA…did anyone say thet liked horseracing??? How do you know we do or don’t like to hunt……..I don’t wear make-up…..and who’s WE buy things from the chinese……as far as I’m concerned..people like you are harming the cause…you are probably not even an animal lover but a @#$% disturber.
Sorry Sam you are the coward. Stick to the topic on hand.
I’m excited to hear Vick was indicted.
He is a thug not a role model.
If Nike still endoreses him i will not buy their products. If the NFL still recognizes Vick as a role-model the attention should be on them next.
I wish I could stand face2face with Mr.ToughboyVick because I’m 6′6 360 pounds and if he wants to pay for a fight I would be overjoyed for such an oppurtunity
Another response to Nicole:
FYI, dogs are living breathing, warm blooded mammels. They experience the same sensations of hunger, thirst,heat cold,much in the fashion that we humans do.I know they experience some forms of joy and sorrow! Pertaining to the subject on hand, they experience PAIN!Ever try removing a poripine quill from a dogs mouth?)Based on experience, the poor critter doesn’t do all of that yelping and whining when he’s being praised, fed and petted!
What kind of a fool’s question is “Would you save your pet or your child”? I don’t have kids, and I’m not particularly a dog lover,I’m a cat person. However, the issue is not about someone choosing between their pet or their child. (Incidentally,if i had children, I’d try to save both pet and child, even if it meant sacrificing my own life!)And of course, any parent, or reaqsonable non-parent such as myself would save the kid if we absolutely had no other choice. However, based upon your foolish question that has no relevance to the real issue (vick)and your complete disregard and lack of compassion and empathy for creatures that have inhabited this world as long as or longer than humans, I can respond with an equally foolish, but truthful scenario: If I had to choose between saving my cat or saving you, you can bet your bottom $ you WOULD NOT be the one I’d try to rescue!
In response to Sam,
First of all, the subject of this forum has to do with Vick and the charges that have been brought against him. It has nothing to do with horseracing, dog racing, fishing, Chineese imports or any of that stuff!!
Secondly, I think Vick is an unspeakable scum and an exremely poor excuse for a human being. I hope his karma serves him well! and I’m not a fan of horse or dog racing, I despise killing animals, therefore I wouldn’t make a good hunter. I’m somewhat impatient and am not willing to put up with the mosquitos, stink, or mess, which rules out fishing. PETA has a link on their site which lists “cruelty free” products.
True, horse and dog racing and their practices are questionable at best, but do the pit bull owners who seek this disgusting activity, have programs such as “Recylcled Racers”, which is a greyhound adoption acengy which diligently tries placing retired racers in good homes to live out the remainder of their lives. many retired race horses are taken in by animal sactuaries and/or sold as pets where they go to a farm, are allowed to roan in a pasture, have a good diet, and fresh water along with proper maintenence.
To me, both fates I mentioned seem highly preferable to the fate of the losing pitbull. Don’t you agree?
Lastly, here’s a helpful comment not meant to be taken personally and is not directly related to the subject. In the eyes of many, it would be to your benefit if you gained a better understanding of how to use the English language. If you’re new to the U.S., please forgive me. However, most foreigners understand and use English grammar better than most of do. (myself included). I’m not an English teacher but I am reasonably intelligent, eduatated and have a fairly good grasp of the language. Perhaps you might proofread what you send to this forum or have a friend do it. Even if your comments lack validity,people are more likely to read them and at least give them some thought instead of ruling them out automatically.
If the responses here seem offensive in their intensity, please bear in mind that they are verbal representations of outrage on behalf of those voiceless innocents against unspeakable acts. This is so not the time or place to come wagging your finger and scolding the observer for crying out. Nor is it ever the time to quantify love by assigning rank to living things for the purpose of creating a hierarchy of worthiness—especially not for a mind game like “Who Would You Save…?” that just goes nowhere. We will worry about who to save when it is time to save; the tragedy is that no one could save the suffering and sickness and fear from coming to pass on that property in Virginia. The question I have is how do we save future victims? How does this stop?
To Nicole:
You insist that animals are lower than human beings and you talk about being treated in an “animalistic” way – well, I defy you to show me where, among animals that kind of torture, cruelty and evil is perpetrated on one animal by another. Well, you can’t! Only humans are capable of that! Now, who’s the higher being?!
ANYWAYS MIKE VICK IS TO RICH AND THEY WANT HIM TO GO DOWN FOR SOME YEARS BUT MONEY TALKS I’M NOT APPROVING OF TORTURING A ANIMAL BUT PEOPLE MAKING A BIG CUT IT OUT LIKE A COUPON YA DIGG HOLLA AT ME http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/MANUPRECORDS1 AND http://WWW.MYSPACE.COM/OFFICIALLDUBZPAGE IT’S YA BOY
I think he is sick and anyone who could treat a helpless animal the way he has really shows his disgusting character. That behavior won’t just stop with animals, it just shows what a power trip he has to hurt something that can’t defend itself. I hope he gets the maximum punishment possible and I hope his career and credibility are over. The things he did are horrific and I don’t care who is or how much money he has, he should be treated the same way he treated those poor dogs and see how he likes it as far as I’m concerned.
Hey guys whats up, i read someones article by the name of Nicole, or stupid Nicole as I will refer to her, first of stupid Nicole this is not a debate on who’s life is valued more between a dog and a human you moron, this issue is about someone putting something that feels and thinks and breaths just like human beings do in a cage to fight for theyre lives unwillingly, these dogs have emotion and these dogs feel pain, when there bleeding to death on theyre blankets at home after a fight because some mocho man won a couple hundred bucks, and theyre necks ares torn apart and they know theyre going to dye how do you try and justify that .. human being or not, could you imagine if someone threw you in a ring to fight for your life with no escape, don’t think you’d like that too much. Oh but thats ok guys because Nicole thinks that theyre only dogs, so what if they feel pain exactly like humans who cares if they are actual living creatures with a heart and soul Nicole thinks that if theyre not humans we shouldnt worry too much. Nicole with a point of veiw like that you should be ashamed you turned out the way you did.Yah the way you talk we really do sound like the higher being pffff… loser
if you are (A) ready to hang Vick (figuratively) or chinese importers of fur, etc etc.. for unspeakable acts of animal cruetly and (B) eat commercially-raised pork, beef, or chicken, then (C) you are a hypocrite because you yourself are supporting an extremely cruel industry (ever seen videos displaying the lives of commercial animals?).
i love dogs. but i wonder why is it that only cute furry animals like dogs or cats have lives worth saving (rather than other farm animals)? actually pigs (for example) are more intelligent. also, for those condemning china for its reprehensible fur industry– i ask, who supports this industry? certainly not the poor locals, but rather, primarily folks from europe, the U.S., Japan, and other wealthy nations
so, i hope the only folks that are making these scathing comments are vegetarians or vegans.
my guess is not (but i could be wrong)– i am often very amused at how hypocritical we humans can be.
Your all idiots! Vick isn’t the one actually making the dogs fight you stupid chinks
vick should be fired. someone once said what goes around comes around.. guess what vick i hope the inmates inthe pen treat you like you did the dogs .. I HATE VICK SO FREAKING MUCH I will anawys be there to make his life like he did the dogs… FIRE VICK BAN HIM FROM THE NFL… BOOOOOOO VICK YOU SUCK……….
Hey Ollie,
You apparently never passed Elementary School– it’s “you are all idiots” or “you’re all idiots, not “your”. The so-called “stupid chinks” that you’re referring to are probably more successful than your own mother. LOL.
what is the world comming to…please please people stop getting passionate…..and think! for a second.
The man has been accused lets not be too swift to pass judgement.Benefit of doubt,innocent until found guilty.why do we throw all these through the window espcially if its a celeb or individuals from non mainsttream ethnic origines.
When Obama said he would negociate with so called ”rogue states” clinton and cronies went ballistic..some people started saying he is unpatriotic saying they would take their time before negotiating as if he was stupid and would just rush into negotiations.At the end everybody smart person negotiates no matter how we approach it.So many hinged on that point judgingg the guy unfairly beacuse they had ulterior motives based on racial lines.
I mean to alude here that loads of people from all creed are involved in one form of animal cruelty or the other but its ok because they …….belong.
If u doubt me try reading animal farm…all animals are equal but some are more equal than others.
If Yoa Mingh is found with animal fur cloths it will inervitably arouse passionate condemnation than if it were Sammy o connell(just a name).
Vick is not sick he is just human and we must accept that as a fact.How come the o connels are passively cautioned when they eat in the same plat as their dogs,bath,sleep and have sex (sodomise)with this animals.AAAh those o connels are human,see how they humanely sodomise animals and degrade humanity.I think they should be dragged to court and as much publicity giving to it .
Anybody who knows anything knows that there is a predatory instinct in all of us and we manifest it in different ways o connel likes to practice whaling for fun,deer hunting,his great great grand father did the same so its no case !.Besides its “regulated”.Yet o connel is considered humane even though a bullet from his gun will ultimately kill a poor deer than fighting resulting in the death of a a dog.
o connel has a dog he sodomises twice a day and his sister daftney uses some gel on her v area so the dog can lick the delicious v juice but thats ok they are just little kids having fun.
I overhead a converstaion between o connels father and a close “family friend”of theirs…..Billy its such an easy concept ,first u fatten that sheep and then u hack it down..tie hitm to the back of that van we own and parade hitm through the village till from its bones its flesh is sacked.Whatever happens dont let this kind of sheep become too big we own them remeber…..”
I wouldnt kill a dog even though wether we like it or not humankind is suprior to animalkind (permit the term)
In the end this indictment is related to dogfighting-betting which is itself related to doggcheddar-dogginfluence,doggculture,broad nosed illigal alien doggs breathing all o connells air .
can u digg it….can u digg it
NOW we’re making it a racial issue ~
NOT!
This is a ‘What kind of a MAN are you?’, issue!
And then they wonder why.
i think any one who is dumb enough to stick a living animal in a fight to get killed then some one should stick your dumb ass in and see how you like it. if you dont want the dog give it to some one who wants it.
I think an appropriate punishment, in addition to fines and restrictions by the NFL and Nike would be to spend time in animal shelters (under close supervision, of course) helping the very same animals that had to endure the suffering he put them through. I do think it is wrong to say he should be treated the same way he treated animals, that is worse and doesn’t solve anything except an animalistic urge for revenge.