Williams: Dogfighting - it's bigger than Vick

We animal lovers are a tough lot. We're opinionated, oftentimes judgmental, and let's face it, we're much harder on humans than we are on dogs. We'll forgive dogs over and over again for sometimes horrible infractions and give them multiple second chances, and rightfully so. They're animals and have no moral code. With humans, it’s a different story.

After serving a nearly 2-year-sentence, Michael Vick, once the highest paid NFL player ever, was released from prison last week. The former Atlanta Falcon lost his job, his money (he's filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy), will be under house arrest for an additional 2 months, and fell about as far from grace as any sports hero I've ever seen, even farther than NBA star Kobe Bryant, who was charged with sexual assault in 2003 (the criminal case was later dropped when the victim refused to testify, and a civil suit was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount). Afterwards, Kobe stepped right back into the limelight and his lucrative basketball career, just like none of it ever happened. Even though there is talk that Vick would like to return to professional football at some point, many speculate he'll be viewed as a public relations nightmare and most teams wouldn't touch him with a 10-foot pole.

According to the Humane Society of the United States president Wayne Pacelle, Vick will be working with the organization on an anti-dog fighting campaign. The program will be specifically targeted at educating and preventing urban youths from getting involved in dog fighting to begin with, but many animal rights supporters are against this.

I've read articles and blog after blog by passionate dog lovers who, while they certainly mean well, seem to think that silencing Vick, striking him from public view and not even attempting to allow him to make restitution in the form of working with the HSUS is the way to further punish him. While it may bring some personal satisfaction to silence him, what impact will this have on the pervasive dog fighting problem in this country? And believe me when I say, Houston, we've got a problem. A study conducted by the University of Chicago and the HSUS revealed there are many young Michael Vicks growing up right now in urban inner cities and the rural south who are being taught by their mentors, parents, friends and environment that dog fighting is not only acceptable, but a rite of passage and badge of honor. Some believe further punishing Vick will be an effective deterrent to these kids. But will it? Prisons are already full of drug dealers, gamblers and gang members and it hasn’t decreased crime one bit. There is a good possibility Vick could end up being viewed as a martyr and hero to the very people we need to reach.

I believe the Humane Society of the United States is trying to avoid this. It’s undisputable that what Vick did was deplorable, despicable, disgusting, unfathomable and inhuman. Anyone with a heart has to get that. However the challenge is finding a way to reach the people who don't. There are still many people in this country who do not value an animal’s life. These people have a completely different perspective and experience than we do, and speak a different language. However, since he’s come from that same environment and mindset, just maybe Vick can reach them. If that’s the case, we’re in a great position to use him as our puppet. Why not let the HSUS pull his strings, spoon feed him exactly what they want him to say and make him do what they want. And then, let’s add some community service hours in veterinary trauma centers so he has to help save some animals’ lives rather than end them. Right now the deck is stacked in our favor. We hold all the power. By banishing Vick to total obscurity and not using him while we can, we stand to lose what could possibly be the most effective mouthpiece we could ever have.

Laurie Williams is a Stafford resident and business owner. She recently appeared on “Greatest American Dog” with her pooch Andrew.