American Humane Society ‘Pleased’ at Michael Vick Dog Fighting Prison Term
American Humane is pleased that NFL quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced today to a minimum of 23 months in prison for his part in a dogfighting ring, along with three years of supervised release and a ban on owning dogs.
“We believe this sentence shows that the legal system and, hopefully, society at large, now recognizes just how unacceptable and barbaric dogfighting is,” said Marie Belew Wheatley, president and CEO of American Humane. “It also sends a clear and strong message that dogfighting will no longer be tolerated in a humane world. We are extremely disappointed, however, that the judge did not require Mr. Vick to undergo psychological counseling or treatment, or even meaningful community service or humane education, which is what American Humane specifically asked the judge to consider.”
American Humane’s director of public policy, Allie Phillips, was present in the courtroom during Vick’s sentencing. “American Humane is highly alarmed that, during the sentencing, Vick still did not display or verbalize any remorse for the dogs that were killed, brutalized or injured in his dogfighting endeavor — some at his own hand, according to his signed plea agreement,” she said. “Vick’s lack of acknowledgment that what he did to animals was cruel and inhumane, we believe, shows that he truly does need psychological and empathy counseling. We hope it will be made a condition of his supervised release — or even that he will choose to enter appropriate counseling voluntarily — so that his sentence will serve not merely to punish him, but to rehabilitate him.”
Also today, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) introduced legislation that would allow for better tracking of animal cruelty crimes by including them in the FBI’s crime data reporting system. “We strongly support this important legislation,” said Allie Phillips, director of public policy for American Humane. “It will finally enable local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to collect national statistics on yearly crime rates, prevent recurrence of animal cruelty, and address its connection to other societal crimes.”
About American Humane
The American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Founded in 1877, American Humane is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit membership organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between animal abuse and other forms of violence, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane’s regional office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the “No Animals Were Harmed”(R) end credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane’s office in Washington is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels.
Highly Recommended: What dog owner wouldn’t want a piece of THIS action? – Get FREE dog food!
Related posts:
Loading ...
It is not good when a Council`s Regulatory Officers on an other from these Humane Society and Walfare Groups with no former training in Police dogs can charge a Security Officer with an offence under Queensland`s Domestic and Dangerous Dog Regulations, after a Police investigation and a Court Decision where the person was responsible for her own actions and safety.
Councils are still allowed to put a Dangerous Tag on a Security Dog, because the bite was evident and still are allowed to destroy a person $60,000 dog.
On a Certified a Police Dog Handler under Australia`s National Quality Training Framwork, Security Licensed Dog Handler, Classified for the Security Industry of Australia, as a Registered Accredited Auditor Assessor and Instructor.
Council`s have very little Authority to destroy any dog that bites specially a dog trained under Australia`s Correctional Services, all this talk becomes a little bit ridiclous when Queensland`s Local Government and their Regulatory Officer can destroy any dog that bites using its outdated Domestic and Dangerous Dog Regulations, still can override Australia`s National Taining Authority without any former training.
They have no International standards or is there ever written for the Security Industry`s Working Dog of Australia nor do they supply certified instructor from our Correctional Services or Security Providers to monitor Queensland`s Registered Training Organisations.
It has got me gobsmack! why people with little Authority are allowed to make these rules and regulations for others who have been professionally trained within the law on Security Working dogs.
I know! as it happened to me, has been on going for the last seven years to Nature of my business of 10 years to to the above.
Where you can only operate in the above on the approval of Queensland`s Council Authority, who are not a RTO to do so.
Reply