Boston, Massachusetts

Heroes & Animals!

Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick was indicted on felony charges in connection with his well reported involvement in dogfighting at his rural Virginia home. The federal charge contends that Vick gambled on dogfighting, and worse, allowed indescribably cruel torture of the animals.Vick has made no comment on the charges. He is charged with sponsoring dogfights involving pit bulls and a search at his rural home discovered over fifty of the animals.

It also discovered “a stand used to hold dogs in place for mating, an electronic treadmill modified for dogs and bloody carpeting.” A further search found the graves of seven pit bulls that were alleged to have been killed by members of the sponsors of the fight ring. 

Supposedly before the dogs fought they were washed to remove poisons or other substances used to gain an edge. The dogs were often starved to elevate their hunger for another dog. A fights ended when a dog died or gave up.

Among the most disturbing allegations, the dogs that lost their fights were sometimes drowned, strangled, hung, shot, electrocuted or - unbelievably - body slammed to the ground to kill them. This sordid story is a reminder that human beings can sink to unimaginable depths of cruelty.

Aside from the insanity of the activity of dog fighting itself, the accusations of disposing of poor performers through torture is beyond comprehension. Here is an American football hero, a multimillionaire media superstar who blesses himself after a touchdown to thank God, involved in unspeakable savagery to animals. Unless he is thoroughly vindicated his public image is ruined forever.This is the kind of activity associated with socio-pathology by mental health professionals.

Aside from the evident brutality of the actions, it is indicative of a serious character flaw.If these charges are validated in the coming months, it is an indiscretion from which Michael Vick is unlikely to ever recover.