Michael Vick and the Link

So far I've tried to avoid saying anything about the Michael Vick dogfighting issue. I'm not sure I can add too much to public discourse about him and the problem of dogfighting in general. I am glad, however, that he will be facing a judge tomorrow and hope he receives the maximum sentence possible.

I really wasn't going to comment too much on Vick. Then, this morning I read an editorial at Women's eNews with the rather bold title "Beat a Woman? Play On; Beat a Dog? You're Gone." In this editorial, WeNews Commentator Sandra Kobrin agrees that Vick is guilty but wonders why more outrage isn't directed toward athletes abusing their wives and girlfriends.

My initial response? Yes, more athletes should be taken off the field for committing acts of violence toward others, especially women. Some of the cases involving athletes continue to shock me. Rae Carruth comes to mind. But I'm going to hazard a very educated guess that the majority of athletes committing these acts of violence have also abused animals, if not currently, then as children. American Humane has an entire section of their website devoted to the link between domestic violence and animal abuse.

In my personal experience I've met members of the public who think animal lovers don't care at all for the well-being of humans. Granted, there may be a few who feel that way, but I think these individuals may be the minority.

Now for the PR aspect. (bet you didn't think I was going to bring to the topic of this blog!)

I'm sure that as members of the rescue community we've all had our share of cases that involved an individual abusing people as well as animals. Maybe the next time when someone says "But it's just a dog!" we can talk about these situations and educate others on the link between animal cruelty and acts of violence toward people. I wish more organizations, rescue groups, and other members of the animal community would raise this issue with regard to the Vick case.

It's just a dog. But tomorrow it might be a child or a spouse.