| redwitch |
09-26-2011 03:43 PM |
I was going to stay out of this. Honest, I was. But I just can't. I loathe what Michael Vicks did. Anyone who knows me knows that I adore animals and would rather cut off my right hand than deliberately hurt one. However, I was not raised in Vicks' culture. I was raised that animals were beloved pets, they were to be cherished and well-taken care of. I was taught that animals should not be used for entertainment (was even raised that circuses were not okay) I was most certainly not taught that an animal that failed to entertain should die.
Vicks was raised in that culture. He was taught that dog fighting was acceptable. He was taught that killing a dog who did not perform was acceptable. He was taught that an animal had no redeeming value and, thus, the manner of death of irrelevant.
He was punished for his actions. Maybe not as much as many would like. Maybe not as severely as many would like. But, even one day in prison is not easy. Imagine knowing that someone can make you strip, search your body cavities and you have no right to stop them. Imagine being told when to get up, when to go to bed, when to eat (and what to eat). Imagine sleeping in a cell with no privacy. That is not a life I would care to live -- not even for one day, let alone 15 months. Our legal system deemed that his punishment was sufficient. Honestly, I've heard of cases where the torture of an animal was much more severe and the criminal was given a minor fine and no jail time. I know of one instance where a 19 YO deliberately burned a cat alive. His punishment was $250 and one weekend cleaning up garbage. That, to me, is an obscenity and a travesty of justice. At least Vicks did some real time.
Whether we like it or not, the criminal justice system does not place a high value on animal cruelty. I was surprised he was sentenced to and served as much time as he did. I think the reality is that had it been anyone but Michael Vicks (or another celebrity), the punishment would have been far less.
To me, the bigger issue is: Did Michael Vicks learn anything? From what I have seen and read since he was released from prison, I think so. He has spoken at many schools, not just in Atlanta and Philadelphia, but while on the road. He speaks about the unspeakable acts he committed, his regret, his understanding of how horrific his acts were. He no longer has to do this, but still does. That, to me, speaks volumes.
He still contributes large sums to animal rights foundations, especially the ASPCA. Again, he has paid his fines. He does not have to contribute a single dime.
Is this all a publicity stunt to make him look good? Maybe. I don't care. I care that he is making a difference; that he is telling kids to not follow in his footsteps; that at least some of his money is going to right his wrongs.
If we don't like the sentence he was given, maybe it is time to work at changing the laws for animal cruelty, to make the penalties nearly as high as we do for harmed humans.
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