This was a very brief article in the Post, it does not explain whether or not any sort of investigation has been started, or whether the dog has survived. Also, there's no information on where in Southeast the dog was found.
It's still sickening though, to think of a dog being tossed in the trash while still alive. I mean, if you're that upset that your dog lost the fight, you could at least shoot it before you throw it away. Yeah, I'm going out on a limb there and assuming you likely have access to firearms if you fight dogs.
This depressing story reminds me of another depressing story. Yeah, the whole Michael Vick saga. I'll just go ahead and remind the Post about Mike Wise's piece a few weeks ago supporting Michael Vick's return to the NFL. Of course it's an "opinion" piece, but I had been meaning to comment on it for a while, and a DC reference to dog fighting brings back the topic.
Wise wrote that Vick's skill in life is to be a football player, and that even though he disgraced his team and the NFL by engaging in acts of horrible cruelty, he must be allowed to earn a living. Oh the horror that someone can't spend their life doing what they love! Oh the horror that he would have to accept responsibility for his crimes and that he might never play the game he is good at again. Come on. He disgraced the league and his team. Tell me that when you read this post about a dog being dumped in a trash can, your mind didn't wander somewhere to Michael Vick. I bet it did.
This whole nonsense pisses me off. And it's damned hot outside. I envy all of those DC blog readers who are not reading this post because they are on vacation somewhere.
UPDATE: NBC Washington has more information, albeit on their poorly designed site.
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ReplyDeleteYour viewpoint flies in the face of two of the pillars of American democratic society - our system of justice and a free market. First, despicable as his crime may have been, Vick paid the price for his crime. He served the sentence that was meted out to him by our criminal justice system, period. Secondly, as long as their are willing buyers for the services of Mr. Vick (and assuming Mr. Goodell grants him access to the league), he should be able to ply his trade like anyone else. American men need to stop putting professional sports on this phony pedestal as some special privilege - simply because 95% of them can't play sports and are envious of those who do.
ReplyDeleteHe did pay the price, he has no further burden in the criminal justice system.
ReplyDeleteI'm by no means envious of those who play professional sports. I am, however, against the idea that someone is entitled to play simply because they are good at it. Clearly the NFL isn't a democracy, and even if it was I don't know what the results would be if you asked everyone (including fans) if they wanted Vick back. However, there are plenty of instances in real life where if you do something despicable, even if you serve your time for it, it will be held against you moving forward. I don't know that it's "fair" for someone to do the things he did, and expect to go right back to where he was before he got caught.
I know life isn't "fair" but we don't have to give him a pass just "because."
Sorry, A, I did have to delete that comment. If you want to repost using slightly different language that's cool.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be a perfect world if normal criminals, you know, the ones that steel car radios or sell coke to lobbyists, were allowed to pursue multi-million dollar careers after they were released from jail.
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ReplyDeleteThanks Dave. No need though, that was my thought during a moment of anger. Not the most mature thing to say, I know.
ReplyDeleteWish you didn't bring up Vick. Takes the focus off of the dog in the trash can.
ReplyDeleteThe purpose of the US penal system is to rehabilitate prisoners so they can enter back into society and be productive members. This rehabilitation may not always work but it is how the system is set up. Michael Vick entered the system, is now a free man, and has the right to pursue any career of his choosing. Before Vick’s crime he wasn’t much of a roll model unless you wanted to grow up to be a star QB (and leave college early), but honestly how many people get to do that. After his crime, Vick become a very good example of society by showing that no man is above the law. I now think Vick can become a great roll model by showing he has learned from his mistakes and can still purse his dream. Just because you got busted selling drugs in high school doesn’t mean you have to be a drug dealer your whole life. Are you going to tell the car thief he can only steal cars for the rest of his life? Everyone has seen “Catch me if you can,” Frank Abagnale impersonated an airline pilot, a teacher, a doctor, and an attorney. How many lives did he put at risk being a fake pilot and doctor? He also stole countless amounts of money impersonating these professions. He entered the US penal system and is now a top consultant for the FBI. Side note, I like how no one is talking about the DC dog.
ReplyDeleteIn response to your comment Dave, Vick will never go back to where he was before. Before he went to prison he was once the highest paid NFL player, sought after by advertisers and owners, and admired by many. Even if he gets a second chance in the NFL (and I believe EVERYONE should have a second chance, because if they don't get one then whats the point of a justice system) it will never be anywhere as close to as it was before. If we want to make NFL players a role model to kids then we need to kick a lot of guys out of the NFL but in reality, they are athletes, they have a talent, they use it, and parents should be their kids role model not some guy you've never met.
ReplyDeleteI do agree in giving people second chances in general, we all make mistakes. However, I think it's a bit ridiculous that people feel like Vick is entitled to play in the NFL again. That he somehow deserves to, simply because he's a good athlete.
ReplyDeleteIn general I agree with the idea that if you can "do the job" you shouldn't be penalized for mistakes you have made and corrected. However, that doesn't mean you are ENTITLED. there's a difference. Perhaps it wouldn't be a terrible thing if Vick worked his way back up from nothing... but no matter what position he takes in the NFL it will be paying him more money and giving him more prominence than most convicted criminals ever enjoy.
So sad about the dog in the trash can. Man's capacity for cruelness is astounding.
ReplyDeletebob wrote, "The purpose of the US penal system is to rehabilitate prisoners so they can enter back into society and be productive members."
This is the purpose of the penal system, but unfortunately our penal system doesn't work this way anymore. Prisons are under-funded, under-staffed and over-crowded, with more rehabilitation programs being cut every day, and this is why so many - who come out not rehabilitated and ready to re-enter society - become repeat offenders.