By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor
In PR terms, Rep. Tom Marino just scored a touchdown.
Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Michael Vick supports Marino’s legislation to penalize those who organize or attend dogfighting events more strictly. The NFL All Star who went to jail for 18 months over charges of dogfighting will speak at a press conference Tuesday morning in support of Marino’s bill.
Colby Itkowitz at the Morning Call broke the news; you can read her story here. The hearing will be tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. in the House Judiciary Committee room.
Marino (R-Lycoming) is lead sponsor of the bill, introduced last week. The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act of 2011 adds on to existing state laws that address spectators at animal fights by penalizing adults who knowingly expose children to the events. Rep. Betty Sutton (D-Ohio) is chief co-sponsor.
Animal fighting is a federal crime and illegal in all 50 states but the issue of spectators at these barbaric events is not addressed on the federal level, according to a press release from Marino’s office. It is illegal in 49 states to be a knowing spectator at animal fights; 28 states impose felony-level penalties on spectators.
“As a former state and federal prosecutor, I’ve seen first-hand the criminal culture that surrounds animal fighting events and the damaging influence this environment has on our children,” said Marino. “We try to protect our kids from criminal violence and yet there are no consequences for those adults who take impressionable children to animal fights where they can witness these heinous acts in person.”
The bill has the support of the Humane Society, with whom Vick has worked closely since his return to football. He’s emerged as the most visible spokesman against dogfighting, with particular emphasis on reaching out to middle and high schoolers.
“We are grateful to Representatives Marino and Sutton for introducing this legislation. We call on Congress to swiftly pass it and give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on the entire cast of characters involved in animal fighting,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.
Image above is from Vick’s facebook page.
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5 Responses
He should feel lucky that he has been able to pull his life back together and not miss a beat. What about the dogs, and the dedicated people who have sacrificed their time and lives to help rehablitate the ones who were lucky enough to be rescued from his kennels? And not to mention the greed associated with one of the nations #1 paid player in the NFL? What not enough thrills in your life? What about the kids who look up to you? What is your legacy in life Michael?
The way I see it now Vick you have the choice to either get it right, and right the wrong, or do nothing, and just keep making your millions living your happy pathetic little life. Either way, all eyes are on you.
I am thankful he is doing this. I think there is a lot more he needs to do in addition to this. He is making millions of dollars now and he should donate that to people and dogs of rescue from dog fighting rings! He should work with Nike to make public service announcements banning dog fighting and animal cruelty! These are issues he could give a big voice to and go a long way to calm the storm of irate animal lovers everywhere. That’s one reason we have been so active against him. We feel he hasn’t done enough to atone for the deaths and the treatment of his dogs.
We have no control over who is speaking to Congress but we can be happy if this bill passes. The sooner we can end animal fighting the sooner we can end the tremendous suffering of these animals.
I sure hope it passes. It is another step in the right direction in trying to protect these poor animals and more acknowledgement that forcing animals to fight and all the brutality involved is seriously wrong and unacceptable in our society.
Ok…So? When is Vick giving the names of all the people that he dealt with? The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act of 2011! HE KNOWS WHO WAS THERE TO WATCH!!!