Clinton Portis and Chris Samuels are two players from the Washington Redskins. Apparently, these two are defending Michael Vick and believe that dog fighting is not a crime:

‘”…I don’t know if he was fighting dogs or not,” Portis said. “But it’s his property; it’s his dogs. If that’s what he wants to do, do it.”

‘Portis, a native of Laurel, Mississippi, added: “I know a lot of back roads that got a dog fight if you want to go see it. But they’re not bothering those people because those people are not big names. I’m sure there’s some police got some dogs that are fighting them, some judges got dogs and everything else.”‘

Link: Skins Portis, Samuels ridicule dog fighting as crime

Perhaps these two football people would like to justify the means to make these dogs exceedingly aggressive and attack another dog. Being social animals, this is not usual behaviour for dogs. This aggressiveness is induced. It is taught - if you wish to call it ‘teaching.’ By all standards of decency, the aggressiveness is taught by cruel, inhumane means. In simple terms, the dogs are tortured to be aggressive and pack / social instincts to fellow canines are extinguished. - Perhaps some consider this ‘good fun.’ I contend that a majority of people see this as cruelty.

The dog’s bite is powerful enough to crush bones. What do you think happens to the dogs that are hurt? An injured fighting dog is useless, will not make money, is an extra expense, and is shot. There is no visit to the veterinarian. An ethical veterinarian would report the dog fighting. An injured dog is simply shot - end of problem. Perhaps some consider this collateral damage from the ’sport.’ I contend that a majority of people see this as criminal.

Dogs who are successful in these fights are bred with the hope of producing aggressive offspring. More dogs are needed because the ‘career’ of a fighting dog is short. If a pup does not show signs of being aggressive enough or have the potential size / strength necessary, that animal is sold. The person who buys that puppy does not know that he/she is buying a possibly explosive animal because of its genetic background. The pups that do not have the aggressiveness, size, strength or whatever are sold because - after all - it is all about the money. And so problem inventory is sold. Perhaps some consider this free enterprise and being entrepreneurial. I contend that it is immoral and criminal.

Mr. Portis may know many back roads of Mississippi or wherever. I suggest that he and Mr. Samuels take a closer look and see what is involved. Perhaps some consider dog fighting to be sport. I contend that it is revolting and criminal - and I am sure that the Washington Redskins public relations people are now in damage control mode.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]dogs, clinton portis, chris samuels, washington redskins, dog fighting, aggression, pack instincts, injuries, money, pups, crime[/tags]