DOG FIGHTING/MICHAEL VICKS

WE THE UNDERSIGNED ARE SUBMITTING THIS PETITION WITH THE HOPE THAT THE DECEMBER 2007 SENTENCING OF MICHAEL VICKS WILL NOT BE INFLUENCED BY HIS FAME AND FINANCIAL STATUS OR BY THE FACT THAT HE IS A VALUABLE PLAYER ON THE ATLANTA FALCON'S FOOTBALL TEAM. IF HE WAS AN AVERAGE CITIZEN AS IN MANY OTHER CASES, HE WOULD BE DEALT WITH SEVERELY. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY VICIOUS CRIME. THESE DOG'S HAVE TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH OR END UP TERRIBLE MAIMED, ALL FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT, KICK'S AND PROFIT FOR ALL THOSE INVOLVED. WE WONDER HOW LONG THIS VICIOUS, PREMEDITATED ACT HAS BEEN GOING ON. MICHAEL VICKS IS IN A POSITION WHERE HE COULD BE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE COMING UP, BUT INSTEAD HE IS SENDING A MESSAGE THAT ANYTHING GOES. HE SAY'S HE IS SORRY, BUT I WONDER IF HE IS SORRY BECAUSE HE HAS SHOWN SUCH TOTAL DISRECARD FOR THESE POOR, UNFORTUNATE ANIMAL'S OR THAT HE GOT "CAUGHT". IMAGINE YOUR PET BEING PUT INTO THE RING TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH. DOG FIGHTING IS NOT A SPORT. IT IS A CRUEL AND SENSELESS
CRIME AGAINST THESE POOR DEFENSELESS ANIMALS. LET'S GET AS MANY SIGNATURES AS WE POSSIBLY CAN  TO SHOW THESE PEOPLE THAT IF THEY PARTICIPATE IN THIS TYPE OF CRIME, THERE WILL BE SEVERE CONSEQUENCES.  WE CAN ONLY HOPE HIS PUNISHMENT WILL FIT HIS CRIME.