| Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was | | | | Pit bulls have recently gained popularity with street |
| convicted of financing a dog fighting ring at his home | | | | gangs. The dogs are a kind of status symbol. Gangs |
| in Atlanta in 2007. In 2001 Vick and three friends | | | | use the dogs as a way to threaten and intimidate |
| started the "Bad Newz Kennels", shortly after Vick, | | | | people. It may be illegal to walk around with a gun |
| the number one draft pick, signed with the | | | | or knife, but it is not illegal to walk around with a dog. |
| Falcons. There were 51 pit bulls taken from the | | | | Gangs also use the dogs to protect their turf and |
| property. | | | | their property. It became more important to have |
| In most states, pit bulls seized from dog fighting rings | | | | the biggest, meanest, most vicious dog on the |
| are euthanized because they are too dangerous to | | | | street. Breeding was done to produce this result, |
| be adopted as pets. All the dogs taken from Bad | | | | making pit bulls a dangerous, no longer a family |
| Newz Kennels were traumatized, mistreated, | | | | friendly breed. Dog fighting became a way for street |
| neglected and abused. There were also dead dogs on | | | | gangs to make more money, so it turned into a |
| the property. A judge decided to spare these dogs | | | | gambling operation which is big business. This was no |
| immediate death and allowed for them to be placed | | | | doubt the reason Michael Vick and his friends got |
| in different facilities for evaluation. Of the 51 dogs | | | | involved. |
| taken from Vick's kennel, 2 died while at a shelter, 1 | | | | After hearing the graphic details of what was done |
| was put down because it was to violent and one | | | | to Michael Vick's dogs, the way they were beaten |
| was too sick and injured and was euthanized. Many | | | | and killed. Many people felt strongly that he should do |
| experts feel that fighting dogs can never be safely | | | | serious jail time and never be allowed to play |
| made into family pets, but the people working with | | | | professional football again. Michael Vick did 18 months |
| Michael Vick's pit bulls have no doubt some of these | | | | of a 23 month sentence in prison and was required |
| dogs can be saved. | | | | to pay over $900,000.00 for the care and |
| For many of these dogs, the problem has not be the | | | | rehabilitation of the dogs seized from his property. |
| dog's aggression, but the fearfulness, and | | | | This past week, it was announced that Michael Vick |
| nervousness of the dogs. There was no positive | | | | signed a two year contract to play for the |
| socialization, the only way the dogs related to other | | | | Philadelphia Eagles. The buzz word around the decision |
| dogs was as opponents meant to fight to the | | | | has been "second chance". Many fans feel like Vick |
| death. The foster care givers and adoptive | | | | did his time and paid for his crime so he should be |
| families have found that these former fighting dogs | | | | allowed to play football again. Just as many fans say |
| have no idea how to relate as a family member. | | | | Vick should never be allowed to play again, and have |
| Pit bulls or American Pit Bull Terriers, were actually a | | | | even stated that they will no longer be Eagles fans. |
| favorite family pet for many years. They were | | | | There is a huge uproar in the city about the decision. |
| known as the "nanny dog" because of the way they | | | | It is obviously an emotional subject. What do you |
| were with the children in the family. They were | | | | think? Should Michael Vick be allowed to have his |
| extremely trustworthy and safe around children. | | | | NFL career back? |