Michael Vick and Dog Fighting

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Michael Dwayne Vick, born on June 26, 1980, is currently an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He became the first African-American quarterback to be selected first overall in an NFL draft and gained popularity for his performance on the field, and leading the Atlanta Falcons to the playoffs twice. However, it was his involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring that garnered him national attention and landed him on the front page of many local newspapers. On July 2007, Vick and three other men were charged by federal authorities with felony charges of operating a prohibited dog fighting enterprise known as “Bad Newz Kennels”. Vick was accused of promoting, funding, and facilitating the inhumane sport, and appeared in U.S. District Court on December 10th for sentencing. The judge believed Vick was a full partner in the dog fighting ring and was sentenced to serve 23 months in a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. Michael Vick is a role-model to many around the nation. His scandal promotes dog fighting and the inhumane treating pets and animals as being an acceptable activity to the impressionable young children that look up to him. Vick’s crime can stunt children’s development of a healthy relationship with animals and ensure that they establish a loving bond and treating creatures with kindness and respect. Although Vick did partake in this heinous activity, he has admirable qualities. The Philadelphia Eagle’s quarterback has accepted full responsibility for his actions. Furthermore, since being released from jail in 2009, Vick has regularly spoken out against animal cruelty and has worked with The Humane Society, stating “To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change”. Society did not treat Vick unjustly; they had every right to be

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