Michael Vick Sentenced to 23 Months for Dogfighting
12-10-2007

Michael Vick, ex-quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, was sentenced to 23 months in prison this morning for financing "Bad Newz Kennels," his dogfighting operation, and viciously killing dogs that his kennel used in fights. He was also ordered to pay more than $928,000 for the care of the 54 dogs seized from his property. ARDL applauds U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson's sentence, as it exceeds the 12-18 month sentence recommend by the U.S. Attorney, and it takes into account the cost of care for the dogs rescued from Vick's fighting operation. Last month, Judge Hudson sentenced Vick’s codefendant's Purnell Peace to 18 months in prison and Quanis Phillips to 21 months. A third co-defendant, Tony Taylor, will be sentenced this Friday.

The Michael Vick case made headlines around the nation--and around the globe--but as we know from the number of cases reported to ARDL week after week, dogfighting is a national epidemic. Sadly, unlike the high-profile Michael Vick case, most cases of dogfighting go unnoticed by the media, and find dogfighters receiving weak sentences if convicted.

Three ways you can help combat dogfighting today:

1. Contact your federal legislators and urge them to support the addition of dogfighting as a predicate offense in the federal RICO laws..

2. Report any suspected dogfighting activity or neglected animals to your local law enforcement.

3. Donate to ARDL so we can keep working for stronger laws that protect animals and put animal abusers like Michael Vick behind bars!

What next?

Although animal fighting is illegal in all 50 states, the Animal Rights Defense League is working to make such crimes easier to prosecute and punishable by stronger penalties. ARDL IS working on drafting an amendment to state laws that would enable prosecutors to charge dogfighters under the respective state’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (commonly referred to as "RICO") statute.

Applied to animal fighting, RICO – which was originally designed to be a weapon against a wide variety of organized criminal efforts, including drug dealing and gambling – would give prosecutors increased muscle in seeking justice for the animals abused, and, as in the Vick case, even executed by their owners.

Thirty-two states currently have RICO statutes to which this amendment could be applied; in addition, the federal RICO Act could – and should – be amended to include any animal fighting activity as a predicate act. Such an amendment would provide for longer jail sentences for dogfighters, larger fines, and the forfeiture of the assets used in the illegal activity and the gains generated from the criminal enterprise.

Help us put an end to dogfighting and create strong laws for animals so criminals like Michael Vick receive meaningful sentences! Contact your federal legislators, report any suspected dogfighting activity or neglected animals, and donate to ARDL so we can keep fighting for the animals.

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