need to add title here

"40,000 Professional Dog Fighters"

August 16, 2009 5:00 PM

Wayne Pacelle of The Humane Society on the magnitude of the problem.

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by KayFox1025 August 18, 2009 1:00 AM EDT
I have to say those who are in favor of easing punishment on Vick, are absolutley clue-less. you talk about UFC and comparing it to dog fighting? are you serious? People can think for their own and decide what to do and what not to do. They are the ones who want to fight and thats why they go into that sport. The dogs that faught were tortured and beat to fight. They didn't have the choice not to fight. they were forced to. So all you ignorant people who are wanting the media to take it easy on vick are absolutley ridiculous and don't realize that animals have feelings too.

Also, even though Vick didn't create dog fighting he still participated in it. He bred pit bulls and sold them which in turn spreads the word or entertainment of dog frighting. so he is part of the problem.
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by La reina August 17, 2009 6:04 PM EDT
It does seem racist that Vick was singled out. Surely there are rich white folk out there doing this. It is more sensational because he is a sports "hero". He does seem incapable of empathy for the animals he killed carelessly and violently. People box, but at least they have a personal choice. I don't like it, I don't watch it, and I don't approve of it socially, but like I said, at least they have a choice. These animals have no choice. All of this is a symptom of a sick society, deeply in need of meaningful lives to live. What is the meaning in watching aggression and pain? We need to address as a whole what we want for ourselves and our children and go about getting it. Getting a good life for our children where they can have dignity and self esteem in their own acts of love and kindness, work and play. Anyway, that's the way I see it.
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by librablue-2009 August 17, 2009 4:23 PM EDT
I agree with Wayne people who enjoy this have no empathy for other living creatures.

True animal lovers should never forgive Vick for what he did. I don't care how he was raised or what his excuse is. If you are attracted to this you are barbaric and a danger to society.

Allowing Vick to work with the Humane Society would be akin to letting a pedophile sponsor a day care center. He should be shunned by decent people, the others can waste their money to watch him play.
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by mhl1972 August 17, 2009 1:27 PM EDT
60 Minutes missed the boat here. Vick should have been pressed on how he reacted to individual acts of violence that he perpetrated against these animals. He had just the vaguest hint of a smirk throughout the entire interview, and his phrasing seemed canned and emotionless, the product of coaching by his image consultants. Unfortunately, the narrative Vick is actually spinning for poor children of color who confront dog fighting and other forms of animal cruelty in their neighborhoods is, "Don't fight dogs or be mean to animals, because white people will take your money away and put you in jail." Vick does not seem capable of helping children to appreciate animals, because he doesn't appreciate them himself. Also, 60 Minutes should have emphasized the link between dog fighting and crime--that the culture of animal cruelty leads to a lack of empathy for ALL living things, which contributes to violent crime. Plus, dogs bred to be violent are living in our neighborhoods and are barely controlled by petty thug sociopaths who revel in violence. It's scary, and ALL of us should be concerned.
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by mrtarge August 17, 2009 7:53 AM EDT
nice, i was just thinking the same thing. JB said, "whats the attraction?".. I don't get the UFC attraction either. that is the most violent sport since Lion fighting. wow. and also, Wayne said over 40,000 PROFESSIONAL dog fighters in America!!!! Is Vick responsible for ALL of these people? He didn't CREATE dogfighting. He PARTICIPATED in dogfighting. Give the guy a break!
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by 07manor August 16, 2009 11:58 PM EDT
How is the situation with michael vick, who has been found guilty of dog fighting, when we as the american public allow and promote men and women to participate in cage fighting. When limbs are being broken and blood is being shed and gambling allowed.
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by sallyfaye August 16, 2009 10:55 PM EDT
As a Child Psychologist, Professor of Psychology for 33 years, my opinion may be somewhat biased. However, having watched Vick's reply this eve on 60 minutes, I was amazed and DISMAYED by his lack of remorse in the specific acts of violence and death he committed against these helpless animals. It is well known that MANY repeated acts of violence against women, children, and eventually any perceived weak human being, have been committed by those who originally vented their insecurities on helpless animals. Vick seemed to express remorse only for those HUMANS whose lives have been affected .. . his own, his family, his football colleagues. In no portion of the interview that aired was he at all remorseful about the violent acts of death he perpetrated upon the helpless animals at his mercy. If CBS would like further commentary regarding the research documenting the link from animal violence to acts of human violence, please respond to this email.
Sincerely,
Sally Hill,
Professor of Psychology Emeritus
Bakersfield College
Bakersfield, California
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by trueanimalcaring August 16, 2009 10:20 PM EDT
Um, why are they talking to Wayne Pacelle? The pro vegan and pet free America tool? He wants nothing more than to get press to further donations. Are you serious? They ASSUME this guy is an expert without getting any facts. All I see is a suit, fake tan, and teeth whitening expert. Other than that, besides his $375,000 a year salary, can someone tell me why he is an animal expert? Oh, and he is now suing to get the 5 billion helmsley dog inheritance. Did you know that? HSUS only spends less than 4 cents of every donation dollar on animal humane societies and rescues. What do you think he will do with 5 billion? Looks like Wayne will get a raise and new house! Keep supporting HSUS!!!
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by Georgia_ATL August 16, 2009 9:26 PM EDT
ercwms4: Hunters usually try to kill a deer with one shot. They may display their heads, but they also eat them. Some hunters do hunt for enjoyment, but I've never heard of a hunter taking a wounded deer and hanging them for 30 minutes just to watch them die slowly.

My question to the HSUS? Why isn't Vick testifying against other dog fighters? Turning in all the dog fighters he used to fight his dogs against? If he is truly sorry and understands how wrong it is, then he should be proud to sit in a courtroom and testify against them.

Wayne, I hope you stay on Vick's case. Don't allow him to get away with using the HSUS. Complain very loudly if Vick can't find time to do his community service with the HSUS helping kids understand empathy is ok to have. If the violence against animals doesn't stop, we are going to have an epidemic of sadistic violence against humans when these 'kids' grow up.
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by ercwms4 August 16, 2009 8:32 PM EDT
Question: God knows that what Mike Vick did in the past was wrong. But why is it okay for people to Hunt Deers and hang them on their walls, and we call this a sport. They have Deer seasons. What the H@@@?
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