Michael Vick supports animal fighting bill
Michael Vick appeared at a news conference in Washington today to announce his support for federal legislation that would make it a federal crime to organize and attend animal fighting events.
“I deeply regret my previous involvement in dogfighting, I’m sorry for what I did to the animals,” Vick, who served 20 months for dogfighting, told today’s news conference. “During my time in prison, I told myself I wanted to be part of the solution, not the problem.”
Vick was accompanied by Wayne Pacelle, the head of the Humane Society of the United States. The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback has teamed up with the organization in an anti-dogfighting campaign.
The House bill, introduced last week, would establish federal misdemeanor penalties against convicted spectators, and make it a felony for adults to bring children to such events.
At the Capitol Hill news conference, organizers played some local television news coverage showing illicit cockfights, according to CNN.
“This is what our kids are being taught, and it’s inhumane and it’s pointless, Vick said after the video was shown.
The Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act (H.R. 2492) was introduced by Reps. Tom Marino, R-Pennsylvania, and Betty Sutton, D-Ohio. Sutton was at the news conference, along with Rep. Jim Moran, D-Virginia, who is among the co-sponsors.
Posted by jwoestendiek July 19th, 2011 under Muttsblog, videos.
Tags: animal fighting, animal fighting spectator prohibition act, betty sutton, cockfighting, dogfighting, federal, hsus, legislation, michael vick, news conference, organizers, spectators, tom marino, wayne pacelle
Comment from Sally
Time July 20, 2011 at 11:09 am
Let’s see a show of hands from those who believe Vick……hmmm, I didn’t think so…his only regret is that he got caught.