Vick Gets Sacked!

The campaign to stop dog fighting and bring attention to the case of Michael Vick is gaining more and more ground. So far campaigns launched by the Humane Society and P.E.T.A. have resulted in the NFL prohibiting Michael Vick from suiting up during training camp. On Friday we got more good news:

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Athletic apparel maker Reebok said on Friday it is suspending sales of jerseys of National Football League star Michael Vick, who has been accused of sponsoring a dog-fighting operation.

Not to be outdone, Nike is also listening to the people:

Athletic apparel maker Nike Inc said in a July 19 statement that it would delay the release of Vick's fifth signature shoe, the "Zoom Vick V," which was to be shipped to stores on August 1.

Granted these are small steps. Neither company has dropped Vick. The NFL has yet to suspend Vick. All parties seem to be taking the "safe" approach of allowing for due process of law.

For those not familiar with the case the key points are:

1. The indictment alleges that Vick and his co-defendants began the dogfighting operation in early 2001, the former Virginia Tech star's rookie year with the Falcons.
2. Vick and the other men were accused of "knowingly sponsoring and exhibiting an animal fighting venture" and conducting a business enterprise involving gambling, as well as buying, transporting and receiving dogs for the purposes of an animal fighting venture.
3. About eight young dogs were put to death at the Surry County home after they were found not ready to fight in April 2007. The dogs were killed "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground," the indicted stated.
4. The operation was named "Bad Newz Kennels." On Vick's Web site, he lists his birthplace as Newport News, Va., "a.k.a. BadNews."
5. n In the fall of 2003, a person witnessing a fight involving one of the dogs trained by Bad Newz Kennels incurred the ire of another cooperating witness by yelling out Vick's name in front of the crowd.

This is more than a campaign against Michael Vick. It's a campaign against cruelty and dog fighting. Thankfully the case against Vick is putting this topic back into people's minds.

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