Vick & HSUS in the News Again

Mike Vick is a free man today.  After serving 18 months after pleading guilty of felony counts of dog fighting, Vick is now free to go.

ESPN 360 has a couple of new reports following his release.

The first video highlights the Humane Society of the United States and the work they have been doing to combat dog fighting especially following the Vick's conviction. According to one person that was interviewed that refers to himself as a "dog man", the hits have made pretty major impact on slowing down the major dog-fighting rings. That sounds like good news. Although no actual numbers were given (or even really available), there sure have been some pretty major dog fighting busts lately, including one in 8 states getting 26 people arrested and over 400 dogs rescued from their fighting operations just last week.

The unfortunate part of the program is that in spite of some positive footage from ESPN a few months ago about the recovery of the dogs, the footage in this first video has an over-abundance of gratuitous dog fighting footage -- which is not only unnecessary, but also plays a role in glamourizing this felony activity to some.  Meanwhile, HSUS gets made to be the hero of the whole show -- with of course, no mention that the organization pushed for all of the dogs rescued from Vick's kennels to be killed.  While all of that is disappointing, the interview is interesting if you can get past some of the footage.

The second video is an interview with Tio Hardiman.  Hardiman, a guest at our Canine Legislation Conference back in 2007, is a major member of the group CeaseFire Chicago -- a faith based organization that works to reach out to inner city youth to change their hearts away from violence -- fighting, gangs, shootings and yes, even dog fighting.  HSUS sponsors part of the program that helps end dogfighting. 

 They ask Hardiman about Vick, about whether he feels like he has changed, whether he's serious about reaching out to inner city youth and making a difference, and not just being being a figurhead spokesperson. I respect the heck out of Tio Hardiman, and his answers are pretty interesting.

I hope Hardiman's optimism is warranted. Vick being involved with really being on the ground and involved in meeting with inner city youth could make a huge difference for these youth and for the dogs -- and could be exactly what both parties need.

I've written a lot more about Hardiman's programs here.

I teeter on this subject a lot. I hate the gratuitous fighting footage. I hate that HSUS has seemed to get a free pass from the media for trying to kill all of the dogs from Mike Vick's kennels. But if the public information about dog fighting helps curb this barbaric activity, and if all of the success stories from the rehabilitation of the dogs from Vick's kennels helps change public opinion about 'pit bulls', and if programs like Hardiman's can help curb violence -- against people and animals, then maybe this will be a good thing after all.

Comments

[EmilyS]

Where does optimism come from? Vick has never spoken remorsefully about what he did. He can't possibly even be considered a spokesperson or example for young people unless he actually understands his own pathology and can articulate it.

[Diana]

I just discovered your blog today, thanks for posting about these important issues. Keep up the good work. ;) Everyone needs to aware of these important issues.

[PAMM - People Against Malevolent Mike]

Seems like giving a child molester a job in social servies...

[LetsHelpAnimals]

Do you know what happened to ALL of Vick's dogs? I heard 8 were adopted...Thanks.

[LetsHelpAnimals]

Nevermind...I just found an article saying ALL but 4 were saved. :D

http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2008/12/25/sports-illustrated-on-the-vick-dogs-has-the-tide-finally-turned-for-pit-bulls/