Huge dogfighting ring busted in Houston!

In three counties near Houston, Texas some people are now facing felonies due to their involvement in a dog fighting bust. Eight suspects have been arrested and 43 others have been indicted. As many as 100 people attended the fights, some betting as much as $1000.

Acting on an outside tip from a man in another state, undercover investigators attended these fights over a 17 month period. Investigators have seized 187 dogs who await their fate with death. Pit Bulls are killed all the time and especially fighting pit bulls. These dogs are victims. They are taught right and wrong from unethical people. They can be trained to be good dogs again. Read an update on the Vick dogs.

In Texas, anyone who owns or trains a dog with the intent that the dog be used in dog fighting; or attends as a spectator an exhibition of dog fighting-has committed a felony.

Drugs, weapons and stolen property were also found.

Sources: www.chron.com, www.hcnonline.com, www.animallaw.info

Michael Vick in the news again

Premiering on Animal Planet, Sunday, August 24.

Animal Witness
The Michael Vick Case
TV-14 (V), CC
For the first time, we go inside the dogfighting investigation that helped bring down star quarterback Michael Vick and expose the brutal sport that matches Pit Bull terriers in a bloody fight to the death.

Click here to be directed to the Animal Planet TV Schedule

My opinion was quoted in USA Today...

I was quoted in USA Today for my opinion on Michael Vick. To read the article, click here.

Michael Vick...and my reasons for that post.

Update:
I have had many people email me about my reaction to this, saying they are surprised that I would be against this. I am NEVER against promoting awareness of animal abuse. I am also NEVER against donating to animal shelters. What I am against is using Michael Vick's name to do it. I think they are making a joke of it in a way because they are all dressing up in prison clothes. I think it is inappropriate to do that and to use Michael Vick's name. I did read the entire article and I still stand by my previous opinion.

Would people be "welcoming" a child molester to the "neighborhood" if he were sent to the Leavenworth Penitentiary to speak out against child rape?

I think Michael Vick's name should be left out of it as well as the prison clothes. I think it is distasteful. I don't think they should be focusing on Michael Vick going to prison as it clouds the real issue. I understand that they are trying to tie the two together-participate in dog fighting...go to prison. They should educate the public about what dog fighting is and focus on the inhumane treatment of the dogs. They are completely skipping over that by using Michael Vick's name and a "welcome to the neighborhood" theme. It is just sick and twisted in my opinion.

I have not and am not saying I disagree with creating awareness of animal abuse and donating to shelters. I don't know why anyone would even think I was against that.

What I disagree with is the use of Michael Vick's name and the prison clothing. If they wanted to use his "celebrity" to get attention they should have said it was for the dogs that he KILLED and MAIMED--not to "welcome" him to the neighborhood.

T-Bones, Kansas City Minor League Team to host "prison themed", MICHAEL VICK night!

<----Remember, this is what the "guest", Michael Vick did!!!

In an effort to raise awareness about animal abuse and pet adoption the Kansas City T-Bones have partnered with several animal safe havens to help put a stop to animal abuse on Michael Vick “Welcome to the Neighborhood” (Vick is in the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas ) night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark Wednesday, May 28. The promotion headlines the 2008 T-Bones promotional lineup that fans have come to expect at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

This is a disgrace! This is an insult to the dogs that died and the ones still alive. This is a slap in the face to our fight against dog fighting and animal abuse. Michael Vick is someone who deserves to be in jail...not to be the "guest" for speaking out against animal abuse and dog fighting. He has been convicted of both. Please write the T-Bones and let them know your feelings on this. They are "welcoming" him to our area because he is in PRISON!?

During the game both teams will be dressed the part, the T-Bones will be wearing black and white striped jerseys while the visiting Gary SouthShore RailCats will wear bright orange jumpsuit replica jerseys. The jerseys will be auctioned off following the game with the proceeds benefiting the participating pet organizations. The park will be appropriately decorated for the prison themed night.

They are completely making a joke out of the fact that he is in PRISON for what he has done. This is completely inappropriate!


Here is the link.

Saving Pit Bulls from HSUS, PETA, and Michael Vick

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and PETA wanted to add the ultimate insult (death) to a life of injury (dog-fighting) for the dog victims of Michael Vick. Despite the recommendations of HSUS and PETA that they be killed, prosecutors allowed the dogs to go to No Kill adoption groups all over the country. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words. And these pictures say it all. Where are they now? Click here to view a photo montage. (There is nothing graphic here, the photographs are pure joy.)