WASHINGTON D.C. – Sen. John Kerry said today that he will introduce legislation aimed at eliminating dogfighting, which is illegal but is by many accounts still far too common. Kerry said he hopes to go after the cruel sport by making it illegal to transmit images of dog fighting, to run websites that cater to dog fighting or to own or train dogs for the purpose of dog fighting.

 

In addition, Kerry today sent a strongly worded letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, requesting that he immediately suspend Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who was indicted this week on dogfighting charges. Kerry said the extensive role Vick played in the dogfighting ring at his Virginia farm and the sickening descriptions of Vick’s tourture-like treatment of animals argues for an immediate suspension and removal from the playing field. Kerry said the NFL must demonstrate that it does not tolerate animal cruelty in any form and noted that professional football, as the nation's most popular team sport, bears a unique responsibility to address this charge of illegal and inhumane behavior.

 

The text of Senator Kerry’s letter to Goodell is below:

 

July 20, 2007
 

Dear Commissioner Goodall:

 

I am deeply disturbed by the indictment of Michael Vick for dogfighting charges.  I urge you to treat this issue with the utmost seriousness as the case progresses.  In light of the seriousness of the charges, I believe that Mr. Vick should be suspended from the League, effective immediately.

 

Dogfighting is one of society’s most barbaric and inhumane activities.  The dogs are mistreated, starved and conditioned for aggression, and then allowed to literally destroy one another in the ring.  As we have read in the Vick indictment, poor-performing dogs are tortured, maimed and killed.  This illegal and despicable activity has no place in a civilized society.

 

However, dogfighting has expanded its hold in recent years.  The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 40,000 people in the United States are involved in professional dogfighting, and fight purses reach as high as $100,000.  As many as 100,000 additional people are involved in “streetfighting,” informal dogfighting that often involves young people in gangs.

 

As the most popular team sport in America, professional football has a responsibility to showcase the highest levels of behavior and sportsmanship.  Mr. Vick in particular serves as a role model for tens of millions of young viewers.  Since his selection as first pick in the 2001 NFL Draft, he has set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a game by a quarterback and been selected to the Pro Bowl three times.  Off the field, his jersey has been among the top five sellers among all players since 2001, and Nike has released four signature shoes in his name.  Sports Illustrated has identified him as one of the “101 most influential minorities in sports.”

 

On behalf of millions of sports fans and dog lovers, I urge you to treat Mr. Vick’s dogfighting indictment with the very serious attention it deserves and suspend him from the League until the resolution of legal proceedings.  I look forward to working with you on this issue to ensure that dogfighting and other illegal activities have no place in professional sports. 

 

Sincerely,
 

John F. Kerry


 

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