Saving Michael Vick's dogs

Michael Vick is a very sick man and should not be let into society for what he did to these dogs. My only hope is that when he is returned to Virginia for a civil trial, that he will get lots more years for his abuse. Children and animals cannot protect themselves - Michael Vick is an abuser.
Bless the people who are caring for those animals. They are the people who more stories should be written about. I hope that MSNBC will do more follow up stories. How about a feature article about each doge that has found a home? I'll bet the person or people who have taken the dogs are people that we should hear about. Hearing about good people is much nicer that hearing about all the bad things that happen.
MSNBC, thanks for continuing to follow up on these dogs. Michael Vick stories were so much in the news - he does not deserve that much publicity good or bad. He was a man who was given every chance a man cold hope for, and he could not appreciate what he was given and took advantage of it instead.
I hope to see more pit bull stories.

I applaud the Judges decision to fine Vick $1mil towards caring for the dogs and the court's willingness to evaluate each one individually. To me, $1 mil was not enough!

The Court should have sentenced Michael Vick to a much longer prison term, as these subhuman actions warrant stronger punishment. There is no question that violence towards animals or causing such harm to animals leads to the same treatment in humans.

I am sick of all these self rightous people who care more about a dog then they do of human beings! I wonder how many times you passed by someone the street who was homeless and offer them some assistance and gave them a fresh start in life! It is really sickening in the grand scheme of things that a animal is treated better then someone who you probably treat as if they were invisible, while your drinking $5 cup of coffee!!!

People who fight animals are pathetic losers. They are sick cowards. If they are so tough than let them step in a ring, but they won't because they enjoy watching pain but couldn't bear pain themselves.

Ditto texas Momma gator !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahhh, the benefits of celebrity.
If these had been Joe Blow's fighting pitbulls they would have all been euthenized months ago. Lucky for these particular dogs, their owner was such a villified professional football player that the authorities felt pressured to take extraordinary steps to save their lives. God forbid they should come off as cold insensitive animal haters like the guy they sent to prison. That's not good PR.

Well said Texas Momma Gator. James, I care about and for, older persons, young children, the sick and dying in hospice care, and lots of animals. I don't have room in my heart for the venom you have in yours.

As proud owners of a loving pitbull, Gypsy, I am horrified by every story I read regarding this low down, piece of garbage of a human being! 23 months isn't EVEN enough! What an idiot! The bigger they are, the harder they fall!!

James:

I agree with you 100%. I find it kind of odd how people came out of the wood works about Michael Vick, as if they're out there saving the world from all that is "EVIL". You want to do something constructive with all of that false caring, next time a player gets caught up for sexual misconduct (a la Mark Chmura) of a 17 year old minor vice the consensual sex between a 19 year old "adult" and one Kobe Bryant, how about jumping on the white player for the harsher crime. People always want to slam the black athlete and anyone with half-a-brain know what it's really about. So what Pac-Man Jones made it rain in a strip club and it got a little out of hand. Guess what folks. He was in an adult establishment doing what SOME adults do. Just because you don't do it or condone it doesn't make it wrong. And even though dog-fighting is illegal, believe when I say the Fed's don't care about dogfighting. They care about all of the illegal gambling that was going on. Trust me on that one!

Now I like dogs and I'm all for people having their animals to love them and care for them, but here's a NEWS FLASH...........THEY ARE ANIMALS! NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS. IF YOU SEE YOUR ANIMAL LIKE A HUMAN, THEN YOU MAY HAVE SOME SERIOUS SELF-ESTEEM ISSUES THAT YOU NEED TO DEAL WITH.

I don't have PhD, I am just a housewife with 2 dogs, a cat and 4 children. But, I just don't get it when we get all upset about people using dogs to fight and then we never think twice about how the food we eat is cruel to animals!! We eat millions of animals for our own pleasure and think nothing of how cruel it was for that animal just to be born to be killed for humans. Why don't we all check to find out exactly how each animal at our own barbeque's are murdered just so we can feed our families and friends. If only we all knew how chickens are tortured before we have the pleasure of eating them, or for the baby calf that is taken from it's mom just to be killed for veal. Have we ever thought about how the mama cow and her baby calf never bond because they both have to get back to training just to be slaughtered and packed in a nice, neat little packages for us to bitch over how expensive it is!! Don't forget all the doctor bills from clogged arteries and other diseases we get from killing and eating the flesh of animals!! We all need to think about it!! We also need to think of this...we are the only beast that drinks another beast milk. Cows themselves don't even drink their own milk.

YAY, to the many, many people who have helped the Vick dogs, and every other abused animal, human or otherwise! I have 4 rescued ex-fighting pits, and they are lovely and wonderful companions who are ambassadors for their breed, despite the horrors they once went through. They make me visit all the neighborhood kids on our daily walks so they can get cuddles and give kisses and tail wags. Many of my neighbors who used to be afraid of ANY dog now pet my dogs and take them for walks.

It is such a positive sign that not only were Vick's many offenses taken seriously, but the dogs themselves weren't further victimized by being killed just for being pit bulls and/ or ex-fighters or bait dogs. It has been shown time and time again that people who abuse animals very often abuse and kill people, too. The disrespect for life and the sadistic enjoyment of watching another being suffer displayed by dog fighters, cockfighters, and other abusers are reprehensible traits that should not be tolerated in a civilized society. (Yes, I realize many of the animals used for food and leather are mistreated as well. There are concerned groups and legislation to help curb such mistreatment, although questionable farming practices are not being done for the direct enjoyment of some sick individuals, however much those practices need improvement.)

For those who want to follow the story of Vick's dogs more closely, check out www.BADRAP.org, or www.BestFriends.org, to start with. For more education on the breed, see the Pit Bull Rescue Central website. For a really eye-opening book, read "The Pit Bull Placebo". It talks about how many breeds have been vilified through history, often for political purposes, and how statistics can be misused to justify just about anything. The implications for human sociological problems are very interesting, too!

A million cheers for the people who saved the Vick dogs, the people who adopt homeless pets, and those who try to make the world a better place for all beings.

Jojo and James, you are just as sick as Vick. Get some F'ing help, you heartless snobs. Animals are here to love and cherish, not to beat and torture. To abuse an animals is like a pedephile, kids and animals are helpless, defenseless creatures that only want love to be happy.
Vick is disgusting, a total waste of talent. Don't get me wrong, I was a Vick supporter until I heard of his actions. He is an amazing athlete, probably could be one of the best QB's or Running Backs out there. But him and his brother are pieces of... you know. To do such terrible things to animals is inhuman. How could anyone be so heartless? Thats like hitler or Mugabe killing their own people. Its terrible! If the dogs were to hurt, they would either be: drowned, hung, electrocuted, shot, or even just left to die. Why would anyone do such a thing!?
Vick should be in jail for 5-10 years. 3 is no where near good enough. That POS should be killed when he comes out.

And one more thing, for all of you people that love dogs so much. I've been bitten by a dog before and had to have some work done on my hand. What was I doing to the poor thing you might ask? Standing in my yard when I was in High School getting ready to go off to school and out of nowhere a dog charges me. So do I trust dogs? As far as I can throw one!!!!!! Now if these pit-bull's went off and attacked the folks that have "adopted" them, will it be Michael Vick's fault or would you just chalk it up to animal nature?

Henry:

Yeah, that's right. I'm a sicko and guess what, to me that makes you a PUNK! And for you to put dogfighting and pedophilia in the same sentence shows me the window into your soul. You're confused!!!!!!! A child that is subjected to that type of thing is far more to live a depressed life and even attempt suicide. I've never seen a depressed suicidal dog before. You're the classic example of what I was talking about. 5-10 years in jail for dogfighting. Come on now. Let's get real. Watch to CATCH A PREDATOR on MSNBC and at the end look how much time those sicko's get. And you call me sick? You're comical.

And quote:

"3 is no where near good enough. That POS should be killed when he comes out."

WOW!!!!!!!!! That's classic. Kill him for dogfighting. LMAO You my friend need a HUG!!!!!! Every time one of you dog lovers say something stupid like that, it only reinforces my point. Thanks for making my day. I'm going to be smiling all day today for sure off of that one. I'm going to laugh every time I think about it. Thanks! I really mean it. LMAO

"..There are concerned groups and legislation to help curb such mistreatment,

How do you curb this mistreatment??? Murder is murder, there is NO curbing the way you kill something.

I guess I kinda got off subject a bit, but I just find it ironic that dogs are more precious than any other animals. We can kill and eat our cows and chickens, but it's shameful and against our laws to fight an animal. Common sense tells me there both wrong.

There is a lot of bloodshed going on in this world today that we never consider bloodshed. This bloodshed is cruelty to animals and dangerous to humans. Let's all think of our fellow human beings that die everyday from consuming animal products.

Vick and his cronies and OTHER animal abusers are sick @!$%#s, they need raw meat rubbed on their bodies and let their poor dogs eat them alive OR give them all to me for 10 minutes, I would just love to show them what it is like to have a live wire shoved up your ass and turn it on. You people who are defending them are just as sick and need to be euthanized.........and I use that term rather lightly! These kind of ass wipes should not even breath the same air as us humans. I hope Vick is getting a good "reaming" by some animal lovers in jail.

Oh and JoJo, sorry you were bitten but that doesn't make dogs "bad" it is the OWNER's fault for not teaching them obedience. My daughter is a vet tech and she has been bitten numerous tmes by dogs that are just plain scared..........not mean, I don't hear her crying about it everytime she gets bit or scratched by a cat. I personally know numerous pit bulls that are the sweetest dogs and I know chihuahuas that would like to tear your ankle apart. One breed is not as bad as the next, a dog is a dog.

JoJo, to say the ignorant things you say makes you just as cowardice as Vick. Just because you are a POS and got bitten by a dog doesn't make it right to support everyone who hates dogs. You are obviously insecure and probably extremely disturbed. I bet you cut your wrists at night to feel the pain.

What makes a dog different from a child? I ask you that. Could a child defend themselves from a being much bigger and stronger than they are? NO, same goes with a dog. A dog is a loving, caring companion. COMPANION! Not to be used as a means of entertainment. Anyone that can watch two dogs ruthlessly fight against one another for some peoples enjoyment is SICK. I know, I know, they're just animals. Then why do they make a bad day all better with just a wag and a greeting? Sorry you were abused or whatever is your problem. The fact is, is that dogs aren't meant to be used as weapons, and to train them and use them as such, is disgusting.

Yeah, he should be killed when he comes out. Thats the reason we have the APA. To protect animals from sickos like you and Vick. I wouldnt be shocked if a dog attacked you, you are worthless. Dogs can see if you are scared, happy, sad, mad, etc. You are cold. Would you ever beat your kid? Would you drown/shoot your kid if he was hurt? A dog is meant to be like a child, cared, loved, and they will return the favor. Maybe you need the hug. Not me

I think the basic point is being missed. All creatures deserve to be treated with dignity and respect whether they are dogs or humans. Anyone that would abuse a dog is practicing a lack of compassion and as such I believe that anyone who would abuse a dog would also be more inclined to do the same to a human. To knowingly hurt any living creature you must set aside basic excepted morals of compassion and caring. To say it more simply, if you abuse anything, whether a dog, a child or an adult you are committing a selfish act. You are doing something that gives you pleasure to the determent of someone or something else. Whatever your religion or beliefs, we would all agree that this is clearly wrong. Michael Vicks is wrong and so is anyone else who hurts others for their own pleasure or gain.

TMGator:

Believe me. I'm over it. I won a German Shepherd!!! LMAO I'm over it. My point is that one can like even love animals without putting the value of their lives over that of a human. That's the only point I'm trying to make. I like my dog. He's a good dog, but my girls LOVE him. And I'd be the first to admit that if anything was to happen to him, I'd be sad, but not because of him, but because my girls would be hurt. My LOVE only goes so deep. Can you dig it?

Henry:

You ask: "What makes a dog different from a child?"

Well, first kids are fragile for a lot longer than dogs are. Second, like I said before, a child that is subjected to that type of thing is far more likely to live a depressed life and even attempt suicide. I've never seen a depressed suicidal dog before.

And you can call me what you want, but don't get brave just because you're on the computer. You don't know me or what I've been through, and certainly don't know what I'm capable of overcoming. All I know is if I saw you on the street walking YOUR dog, I bet he wouldn't bite me. Believe that!!!!!!!!!

The article makes a comment that almost all incidents of pit-bull attacks can be traced to "negligent or abusive owners". While this is probably true, dog personality, like human personality, is as dependent on nature as it it nurture. As a dog owner and lover for over 20 years, I have experienced 1 dog (a rottweiler) who was too aggressive to keep in a neighborhood environment. And I had her in my possession from the age of 5 weeks.

I currently have a female pit bull who I do not trust to be alone around small children or small animals. I can see that she gets anxious, ears forward, flanks twitching, and choose not to take a chance that an "accident" will happen. She came to me at age 4 months and has been treated firmly but kindly ever since. I believe that those "incidents" of attacks that are NOT due to negligence or abuse, are due to owners who just do not KNOW their dog.

It would be interesting to see the results of additional study information being taken by discussion with Michael Vick and his "partners". Exactly what types of treatment and training did the dogs get? Were some dogs, for instance those who were more social, handled more by one person more frequently than by the others? Did the handlers see certain personality traits and how did they react to those? I would think this would be essential information, to get a FULL picture of how these dogs can be rehabilitated and to help with future efforts.

Animals eat other animals and they eat it raw. We've been taught to cook it over a fire before we eat it. Truth is, flesh is flesh. Have you ever seen what happens to a piece of meat that stays in the sun for three days? Meat can stay in the warmth of the intestine for at least four days until it is digested. It does nothing but wait for passage. Often, it usually stays there for much longer, traces remaining for up to several months. Colonic therapists always see meat passing through in people who have been vegetarians for several years, that tells us that meat remains undigested there for a long time.
Think about it. We have decaying flesh (like a dead animal on the streets) in our bodies long after we barbeque it and eat it. We also don't know how old this flesh is when we purchase it from the grocery, you only know you should buy by this date. BUT, no one cares or even thinks about this, they trust the meat industry that what they are buying is fresh and safe to consume for our growing families. NO flesh is fresh or safe!! It's cruel, just as cruel as what Vicks did to the dogs.

We are discussing Michael Vicks behavior (which was wrong) regarding his dogs, but close our eyes to what goes on in the world of a meat factory!! It's easy to forget because it's never brought up in our everyday lives. I am sure that people would ignore it in todays world anyway, just as you all ignore it now.

Let's stop being cruel to ALL animals, we will ALL benefit from it. Our world would be a better place to live in. NO bloodshed. Oh and we would probably live longer too!!

It is wonderful the Vick dogs are getting a second chance and homes..what a great story.
I hope Vick has plenty of bread and water in prison...he is a complete creep and hope
he rots in hell....