[redwitch]

I don't think any of us said he was punished enough. We said he was punished according to the law and today's justice. I don't think the punishment fit the crime but, then, I've never thought that the sentences (usually just a hand slap and a fine) for animal abuse were enough. I worked on two campaigns in California to raise the penalties for animal abuse. One passed, one did not. Even so, it's still not enough.

I do stand behind the fact that Vicks has spoken against animal abuse and his actions since being released from prison. More importantly, he has done so long after the court-mandated community service was up and he continues to talk at schools to this day. It may be a publicity and public relations stunt to make him look good, but the talks do make a difference. They do get kids to see where dog fighting is evil. The SPCA and other animal rights groups have repeatedly said that the best spokesmen against animal abuse are former perpetrators. They do speak from knowledge and, strangely, from the heart when they speak of their past actions.