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For those curious to know what parts of the world still does not criminalize, or worse actively endorses, dog fighting in particular, check this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dog_fighting

There are other cruel animal traditions of baiting and hunting and fighting, but for now let's focus on dog fighting and on Michael Vick.

In regards to Michael Vick, while I am *very very very* carefully open to the idea that he *may not* have known about the dog fighting, he is guilty for not taking the time to know who he was leaving his property to. And even then for not taking the time to check on his property. *If* he was not directly involved, he would have been clean of this situation had he checked his property and notified authorities. But since that never happened I can only come to one personal conclusion: he is a guilty man.

From what information I have read or watched that is the only logical conclusion. I cannot, for the life of me, honestly believe that he was not consciously aware of what was happening on his own property. That is just a ridiculous idea that I can only ever see happening within the realms of fiction, especially a comedy. True, he might NOT have been there; true, he might NOT have been involved in any way, but to claim that for the better part of 6 years he did not know of what the hell was going on? Yeah, right.

There is evidence suggesting that he was not only aware, but even handled the cash flow directly, and worse that he had taken the time to execute a few of the dogs. Those are very serious and if he's found guilty of them I hope he and his associates involved in all this go away for a long time.

As of right now him, and his three co-defendants, are looking at as high as 6 years in prison and $350,000 for the federal crime. He could get more years in the local level (1 to 5 and $250,000 per offense?).

Very sad state of affairs, honestly. Michael Vick was one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL. He had the arm, the athelticism, the strength. He was the whole package! He could throw, he could run, and he could lead. And now this happens.

Even if he's not found guilty of DIRECT involvement, simply having his name forever associated with such a crime makes me glad his endorsements have been suspended if not outright terminated.

Actually there are in certian parts of the USA, ASPCA's which are nothing more then people that go out and take animals that have been mistreated, baddly neglected, and some times not even able to be put up for adoption to get a better home. They do have full power of the law to actually arrest and charge a person for animal cruilty.

Yes do have to say its inhumane to train a dog to fight, and saddly those are the kind that are more often or not, are put to sleep humanly. Simply cause they can not become sociable in a home environment without the fear of attacking someone.

I wish there were more ASPCA's around though, other then the ones I see aired on Animal planet.

Sad what money can make people do; that's either a lack of, or a promise for more of, money. Profit, poverty...greed, desperation, you name it.

I hope he gets a stiff sentence and is not allowed back in the NFL.

This has been all over the papers here, as Vick grew up in Newport News. Personally, though, I don't care about him! Seriously. I don't. I find it hard to care about yet more celebrity "news." They're very good at screwing up their lives. I get it by now.

I do feel bad for the dogs, though.

Animals have suffered too much at the hands of humans.