Is Michael Vick guilty of animal cruelty and abuse or is he just a victim of where he came from? Is animal abuse linked directly with domestic violence or are people just trying to stir up controversy where there isn't any? Do our laws reflect accurately what we believe about these subjects?
Unless you are an avid Animal Planet viewer, you would think that until Michael Vick's dog-fighting/gambling debacle that there really isn't a very high incidence of animal cruelty and abuse. News media report cases few and far between.
There was a momentary uproar in Kansas City, Kansas when ‘Scruffy' the dog was stolen from a yard by four young men. Bored, they decided to videotape themselves choking, setting on fire and viciously beating him to death on June 27, 1997. All four men were charged and found guilty, but because Kansas is without a felony animal abuse law, they spent little or no time in jail and were let out on probation. Ten years later, the law has still not been changed. Animal cruelty and abuse is still considered a misdemeanor in Kansas.
The comments that followed were, "Should these boys lose their life being imprisoned because of what they did?" Should they? What is fair? "Boys will be boys," some say. Is cruelty and abusive behavior inherent in the male gender and should be considered normal behavior? Does one only behave this way with animals or does this kind of behavior spill over into other areas of one's life?
We have laws from state to state that say animal cruelty and abuse aren't tolerated. Depending on which state, and how it is defined and how offensive it is locally, it can range from a misdemeanor to felony offense.
Idaho, Wyoming, Georgia, Nevada, and Hawaii have the weakest dogfighting laws on the books, and in some cases the cruel practice goes completely unpunished, according to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Michael Markarian, HSUS Executive Vice President, is quoted as saying, "Dogfighting is also associated with other criminal conduct, such as gambling, drug trafficking, illegal firearms use and violence toward people. Dogfighters steal pets to use as bait for training their dogs, and even allow trained fighting dogs to roam neighborhoods and endanger the public."
Uh oh, is there more to dogfighting than just dog fighting?
Daily we have heard things in the news about the Michael Vick case since April 25 of this year. He pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges, admitting he provided money for a dogfighting ring that operated on his Virginia property. He also helped kill six or eight pit bulls. How do you forget how many dogs you have killed?
In 2004, NFL running back, LeShon Johnson was found guilty for his involvement in a massive dogfighting ring. He was charged and found guilty. Does anyone remember what sentencing he received? Do we even remember this incident at all?
In fact, on September 4 Whoopi Goldberg defended Michael Vick in the dogfighting case saying, "from where he comes from" dogfighting isn't that unusual. "It's like cockfighting in Puerto Rico. There are certain things that are indicative to certain parts of the country." Hmm. So, depending on what part of the United States you live in, that determines what behavior is allowed towards animals, no matter what the laws state. Is that how society really feels?
Clinton Portis, player for the Washington Redskins is reported saying, "I think people should mind their business ... I don't know if he (Michael Vick) was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, his dog, if that's what he wants to do, do it. If it's behind closed doors, it's okay." So even though it is illegal, if it's behind closed doors, it's okay. How far does it go? Does that include other things behind closed doors? Where does one draw the line?
An informant from inside the world of dogfighting spoke on ESPN's Outside the Lines : "A whole roster of names of professional athletes that we know are involved in dogfighting…I bet not even 10 percent have come to light."
Well, we know it exists and may be very prevalent. So what, it's just an animal. Just because people are cruel to animals doesn't mean they are going to be abusive to people. The thing is studies show that there is a correlation between animal abuse, family violence, and other forms of violence. Abuse of children and animals is connected in a continued cycle of violence. It is reported by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence that 71% of pet-owning women entering women's shelters report that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed, or threatened family pets for revenge or to have psychological control of them. In a study by DeViney, Dickert, & Lockwood it was found that 88% of homes where physical child abuse was present, animals had also been abused.
The Animal Cruelty/Domestic Violence Fact Sheet explains that batterers threaten, abuse, or kill animals:
1) To demonstrate and confirm power and control over the family.
2) To isolate the victim and children.
3) To eliminate competition for attention.
4) To force the family to keep violence a secret.
5) To teach submission.
6) To punish the victim for leaving
The list goes on. But you say, "What does that have to do with dogfighting?"
Someone who deliberately and unnecessarily kills, mutilates, tortures, beats, neglects or abandons an animal/s, or deprives them of food, water, or shelter - why would we think this behavior would stop there?
Connie Mayta, President of People for Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) here in Kansas City says, "Our society needs to be concerned about animal abuse along with domestic violence because they are linked. Society will not rid one without ridding the other. To have a blind eye to animal abuse is to have a blind eye to domestic violence. Each state needs to strengthen their animal cruelty legislation by permitting earlier intervention and sending a clear message that all forms of violence are taken seriously."
Recently, in northeast Kansas City, a puppy and a dog were found within days of each other after, having one of their back legs severed off. The veterinarian treating the dogs suspects that a weapon such as an axe was used to inflict the injuries.
Michelle Dormady, President for Spay and Neuter Kansas City stated, "Animal abuse and neglect is a serious issue right here in Kansas City. As concerned citizens for the safety of our communities, it is time we stand up for these helpless animals by reporting animal abuse and neglect to proper officials. We encourage taxpayers to write their local legislators to help enforce stricter laws to deter this activity and protect the innocent victims of abuse."
In Missouri alone, there are pending cases of animal cruelty and abuse that are staggering. Acts range from dogs being shot, neglected, abandoned, beaten, burned, denied food; and kittens/cats poisoned, shot, thrown from a moving vehicle, trapped in a dumpster or beaten to death. That's just in Missouri, and just cats and dogs within less than a year, not counting other animals or the extensive amount of abuse cases over a period of several years.
On Nov. 22, 2006, two electricians from Springfield's city utilities company found a cat trapped in a dumpster. A coworker reported that the two men repeatedly threw objects, torturing it and eventually crushing the cat's skull.
Does anyone think this is odd behavior for two professional grown men to be involved in? Does anyone think this would be odd and disturbing behavior for anyone to be involved in? Does anyone think there might be a problem with this kind of behavior? Is it just me, or has something gone awry?
You may think very differently about this subject. You may have been raised to think as humans we have the right to do anything we want to animals, because they are just animals. Or maybe you are in that gray area, you don't think animals should be tortured, killed, or be used in dogfighting, but a smack now and then won't hurt. Or maybe you place Fido or Fluff on the same level as you would your own child.
No matter how you see it, there appears to be some shift. Animal cruelty and abuse is something that more people are getting in an uproar about. Eventually the legislature reflects what the majority really feels about a subject.
Tell us what you think. Write Spectrum at editor@mcckc.edu.
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