Is Michael Vick a Clinically Diagnosable Psychopath or a Reformed Dogfighter? January 21, 2009

Posted by Marta at January 21, 2009 1:57 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Today, PETA sent a letter to the National Football League asking that convicted dogfighter Michael Vick be subjected to a psychological test as well as an MRI brain scan like the one now in use at the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in order to look for evidence of clinical psychopathy or anti-social personality disorder. Based on the fact that Vick funded and participated in a massive dogfighting operation (playing a direct role in hanging, drowning, or shooting countless dogs—and even slamming dogs to the ground to break their backs), it might seem obvious that there's something wrong with the guy. But whether or not Vick is indeed a clinical psychopath is an important piece of a bigger puzzle.

clevelandleader / CC
For the past 18 months, PETA has been meeting with Vick's management and legal teams behind the scenes about having Vick deliver a strong anti-dogfighting TV spot. If Vick is truly remorseful for what he's done, as he's said publically and privately, then a message from him telling people to stop these crimes could get through to dogfighters who relate to him. However, that's a big "if."

The only way to know for sure if Vick can change his ways is for him to submit himself for a brain scan and psychological test. Based on a number of factors—such as the fact that the right side of the hippocampus is larger than the left in 94 percent of captured psychopaths—these tests can help determine if Vick can ever truly understand that dog fighting is a sick, cruel business. Or, they could suggest that he's doomed to repeat mean, violent behavior in the future—whether with dogs or other human beings. And given that Vick plans to be around a lot of kids, to give talks to them, and to be a star in their eyes again, the world deserves to know who he is inside.

Vick's lawyers have run screaming, but unless and until he passes such a test, PETA will not participate in the production of a Michael Vick anti-dogfighting PSA. We hope that the NFL will require such a test as a precondition to even discussing the possibility of Vick's reinstatement. You can click here to add your name to a petition calling on the NFL to stick to its guns and maintain Vick's suspension until he's taken and passed a brain scan and psychological evaluation.

UK Dog Fighting Expose January 8, 2009

Posted by Rachel-O at January 8, 2009 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 4 ) | TrackBack

Sarah in peta2 UK just passed along this info for us to share with you...
—Rachel

Under the Animal Welfare Act of 2007, anyone who is responsible for an animal has a legal responsibility to meet their basic welfare needs such as a proper diet and a suitable place to live. Animals should also be allowed to express normal behaviour and should be protected and treated for illnesses and injuries.

An expose in the UK has not only uncovered dog fighting, but increasing amounts of dog attacks on people and animal rescue organisations no longer being able to cope with the amount of dogs being dumped on their doorsteps.

The expose documents a reporter going undercover with the police and the RSPCA to investigate barbaric dog fights. Police reportedly believe that dogs are being used as 'tools', just like knives, in youth gang related crimes. As you can imagine parts of the videos are disturbing, but you are able to watch them here.

You don't have to be an undercover investigator to find atrocities like this happening. Always be aware and report cruelty to animals to either the RSPCA or the Police.

Ruff Ryders: Not So Tuff November 16, 2007

Posted by Cassandra at November 16, 2007 5:24 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 12 ) | TrackBack

OK, y'all it's time for a little game I like to call "Get the Picture."

This is DMX:

Photo Credit: rafe baron/Creative Commons
He's the Ruff Ryder who's been under investigation since police raided his house and reportedly found 12 starving and severely neglected pit bulls, along with the bodies of 3 others who allegedly had injuries consistent with dogfighting. He portrays himself as a tough guy and raps lyrics like these:

"Place your bets
You can imagine what the bloodline is like
Since I love mine to fight...
All my pups is crazy, cause off the leash
They can eat, stand a match for 3 hours at least"
Typically, dogfighters "toughen up" pit bulls by beating them, taunting them, and leaving them outside in extreme heat and cold, alone at the end of a heavy chain. This abuse begins when they are just puppies, like this little guy:


Photo Credit: sparktography/Creative Commons
Now, rather than avoid the appearance of being ruthlessly cruel to little animals, the rest of the Ruff Ryder crew has made the brilliant move to release a line of fugly-ass fur coats. This means they're charging suckers a couple grand to sport the skins of animals like these:


Photo Credit: oboole/Creative Commons


Photo Credit: Ph!L!s/Creative Commons


Photo Credit: Madeline/Creative Commons
Seriously, as if fake beef for marketing purposes wasn't wimpy enough, now rappers gotta get mixed up with fur farmers to confine tiny critters in crusty cages and then skin them alive so that they can pimp coats that make people look like a Sasquatch with shaved legs.


Photo Credit: Aaron Edwards/Creative Commons
Get the picture?


Photo Credit: jrive
Be a real badass and stand up for something. Pledge to be fur free and don't grow old disgracefully like fake gangsters and fur hags.


Photo Credit: benidormone/Creative Commons

Peace!
Cassandra