Vick dogfighting case stirs fans and foes

USA TODAY, August, 2007

The State Journal-Register, Springfield, Ill., in an

editorial: "(NFL quarterback Michael) Vick decided he

will plead guilty next week to federal dogfighting conspiracy

charges. . . . Some people see the coverage of

Vick's alleged crimes as overblown, but . . . you need

not be the type of dog owner who buys Fido's bed at

Neiman-Marcus in order to be troubled by the savagery

of dogfighting. All you need be is human. . . . Much

of America loves dogs. We own about 61 million as

pets. More and more of us think of them as part of our

family. . . . We grieve deeply when they are taken

from us — hopefully, after many happy years together.

No, they are not humans. They are not children. But

they are loving, feeling beings who for thousands of

years now have had a bond with mankind. . . . (But)

Vick seems reluctant to accept blame. His lawyer says

Vick ...