Discussion of the Michael Vick case has raised important questions. Would he be getting the same treatment if he were white? I doubt it. Is this a cultural issue? Maybe. Should he be banned from the NFL for life? I want to say yes. But as I started thinking about these issues, I realized they should be secondary.
The primary question should be what has Michael Vick done? The answer? Michael Vick promoted, participated in, and financed some of the most barbaric behavior humans are capable of—forcing subjugated, terrorized creatures to fight torturous and deadly battles for his pleasure, for his profit, and for his ego.
The Humane Society of the United States is holding a video contest to pick a video to use in their campaign to stop animal fighting. I have avoided posting graphic images of dog fighting and animal cruelty because I think constant bombardment by such images can have a numbing effect or can cause people to give up hope or can cause people to go off half cocked in ineffective rages.
These videos are really well done and each one communicates their message in a unique and powerful way. They aren’t your typical anti-dogfighting videos. Even if it’s not easy, I urge you to watch them and pass them along. We should all be discussing the primary question, “What has Michael Vick done?” This is what he’s done. (If you have trouble viewing the video, try double clicking it.)
Video #1: Waiting on an Angel
Video #2: Ms. Paisley Sky
Video #3: Man’s Best Friend
You can vote here.
The former Atlanta Falcon’s quarterback, Michael Vick, pleaded guilty today to charges related to dogfighting. While the prosecution has requested a sentence of 12 to 18 months in jail, Vick’s sentence is up to Judge Henry Hudson. Michael Vick could go to jail for up to five years.
Ask Judge Henry E. Hudson to send a message that dogfighting will not be tolerated in the U.S. Please write a respectful, concise, clean letter asking him to hand down a heavy sentence.
Hon. Henry E. Hudson
Lewis F. Powell, Jr., U.S. Courthouse
1000 E. Main St., Suite 305
Richmond, VA 23219-3525
Phone: (804) 916-2290
http://www.vaed.uscourts.gov
The felines here at PetProject love a good sense of humor and they found it here—a human brain cat toy, complete with dangling spinal cord. Awesome! Raven and Sage are looking forward to its arrival so they can pretend to be zombies. I hope PrairieBird makes more so your zombie kitty can have BRAINS! of their very own.
It looks like adoration, but my experience with turtles tells me the cat’s nose looks like something to nibble. Our turtles would sometimes sneak up and bite my toes hanging off the end of the chaise lounge when I’d sunbathe as a teen. Yes, turtles can sneak.
(direct link to video)
Mars Pet Care is recalling specific lots of their Krasdale Gravy dry dog food and their Red Flannel dry dog food because the FDA detected Salmonella in tests samples. (thanks Mike)
Product: Krasdale Gravy dry dog food
Size: 5 pound bag
UPC Code: 7513062596
Best By Date: July 16 & 17, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Affected Stores: Various stores located in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Product: Red Flannel Large Breed Adult Formula dry dog food
Size: 50 pound bag
UPC Code: 4286900062
Best By Date: July 12, 2008
Best By Date Location: Back of bag
Affected Stores: The stores are located in Reedsville, PA and Richlandtown, PA
Both dogs and cats can get Salmonellosis with symptoms of lethargy, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. Humans are at risk of infection and the CDC has information on the signs and treatment of Salmonellosis in humans.
