Will Michael Vick franchise pit bull fighting?

Michael Vick's new business enterprise bothers some people, not others.  However, fans and critics of pit bull fighting appear to be organizing everywhere.

US Congressman Tom Lantos sends over his outrage to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell:

U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) fired off a letter Friday that urged NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to "act swiftly and forcefully" if the Atlanta Falcons quarterback was involved in dog fighting on his former property.

The Congressman pointed out that he's a senior member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, which two years ago held highly publicized hearings on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports.

Lantos raised the prospect of government intervention if the NFL fails to discipline Vick.

NFL running back Clinton Portis thinks Americans have the right to feed pit bulls steroids and antibiotics, then fight them like UFC combatants:

I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not, but it's his property, it's his dog," Portis told WAVY-TV. "If that's what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business."

The Hater Nation weighs in with an interesting and erudite perspective:

...At least if the current direction with UFC is any indication. The only difference between a UFC fighter and a Pit Bull fighter is that the dog is probably a little bit smarter, and people actually care if the dog lives.

Obviously, the dogs are forced into fighting and the whole notion of raising dogs to fight is clearly despicable. But the point is that if America is embracing, as the Hatriot called it, “Human Cock Fighting,” how long before the bloodlust turns to dog fighting? Maybe Vick should be seen as a visionary and a step ahead of the curve.

Meanwhile as we reported in the past on dog fighting in Louisiana, and the UK, it now appears Michael Vick Pit Bull Fight-land opened a franchise in suburban Chicago.  From the Lake County News Sun:

When Lake County Sheriff's deputies entered the residence earlier this month with a search warrant following a routine well-being check, the inside of the home spoke volumes.

A foul odor emanated from the door of the house, and things got worse inside. In the basement, police found 16 pit bulls in cages without food or water. The dogs were covered with cuts and scars, and blood was spattered on the walls. A fighting ring and spectator seats were also set up in the basement, according to Sgt. Timothy Jonites of the sheriff's office...

Jonites said it appears that others would bring their dogs to the home to fight Brown's dogs. He said "tools of the trade" were found in the home, including veterinary medicine such as steroids and antibiotics, to make the dogs more aggressive and to treat their wounds.

As America sends millions of job overseas, we believe Vick's 'Pit Bull Fightland' franchises might be financial boons to economically strapped areas like Louisiana, Virginia, and suburban Chicago.  The support industry, including the steroid marketers, will benefit from the clubs...

Comments

[D-Wil]

There's new news on Vick:

http://thestartingfive.wordpress.com/2007/05/24/update-2-no-evidence-to-link-michael-vick-to-dog-fighting/#more-847

[Francis Goodsell]

I watched this disgusting story on CNN today. I am outraged as human being, dog owner and general animal lover. People who participate in this despicable act should be prosecuted to the full extent. Or they should be tied down and have there own dogs attack them!! justice!!!!

[george spear]

HOW COULD ANYONE BE SO BRUTAL TO THE INNOCENT DOGS, AND THEN PUT THEM TO DEATH IF THEY LOSE?
SPORTS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN, NOT DEADLY.
WHAT HAS OUR AFFLUENT SOCIETY COME TO?
THIS IS LIKE THE BARBARIC DAYS OF ROME, WHERE THE BRAVE GLADIATOR GOT PUT TO DEATH IF HE LOST.

[fredbeene]

I expect the nation will come out strong on this....i am missing their comments today.

The dogs were fed steroids.

Please let NFL know your feelings...

Humane Society Comments and petitions.

http://www.hsus.org/

click the link tell the NFL to act. Page may not work because their server is overloaded…but try later tonight.

[annette]

I don't understand how people can say there is not difference between two pit bulls fighting and two men fighting in an ultimate fight. Well folks the difference is obvious. The men can stop their fight at any time, but the dogs can't. The men make a stupid, yet conscious, decision to fight and put themselves in that position. The dogs have no say in how they are treated. This is absoulutely abuse and there is no way to sugar coat it. I personally hope Michael Vick never gets to play football again. Hopefully he will get years of probation and can go serve all that time at an animal shelter taking care of the pit bulls. Any one who fights a dog just to see the violence is one of societies sickest group of people. Hopefully MV won't even make it out of jail. That would be a deserving punishment.

[annette]

I don't understand how people can say there is not difference between two pit bulls fighting and two men fighting in an ultimate fight. Well folks the difference is obvious. The men can stop their fight at any time, but the dogs can't. The men make a stupid, yet conscious, decision to fight and put themselves in that position. The dogs have no say in how they are treated. This is absoulutely abuse and there is no way to sugar coat it. I personally hope Michael Vick never gets to play football again. Hopefully he will get years of probation and can go serve all that time at an animal shelter taking care of the pit bulls. Any one who fights a dog just to see the violence is one of societies sickest group of people. Hopefully MV won't even make it out of jail. That would be a deserving punishment.

[Jack M.]

He'll make it out and return to the NFL

[Kim]

This is to Clinton Portis and everyone else who believes he is right. It is the police business when you're doing something ILLEGAL! Yes it is his property and his dog, but would police come if a human was murdered on the property? Yes, you may think its just an animal, but how would you feel if you were put in a ring to fight and kill and if you didn't you were beaten to death, electrocuted, or drowned? You are forcing animals to do things and that is animal cruelty. You may say the are bred to fight and kill, no they are raised to do that. I have been around a pit bull that was raised in a loving home and treated the right way, it was as loving as any other dog would be! I hope that someday you are pushed into something you don't want to do and you see what it feels like. All the people that are involed with dog fighting and sick and need mental help! Its called karma and it goes around. I used to love sports, especially football, but because of ignorant, jerks like you, who get paid way too much for what you do, I now hate it and refuse to watch it!