Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO, issues the following statement in response to the news that Michael Vick and three co-defendants have been indicted by a Virginia grand jury on charges of dogfighting:
"Participation in illegal dogfighting activities is a dead end street for anyone following that path. The consequences can be devastating, as Michael Vick has learned the hard way. Every young person should take note of the cascade of "Bad Newz" facing Michael Vick and realize that involvement in dogfighting is radioactive. Being kind to animals is a social virtue, but perpetrating acts of cruelty can ruin your life."
Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia have felony level laws against dogfighting. The HSUS has ranked states on the severity of their dogfighting laws and is working to strengthen laws against animal fighting in more than a dozen states.
Virginia's dogfighting law ranked 39th. Individuals charged with participating in dogfights or possessing dogs with the intention to fight them face a maximum five year prison sentence and a fine of up to $2,500 for each charge. The maximum penalties for attending a dogfight in Virginia are one year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
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