I love dogs. If you have ever been to law school, you know that when finals
roll around, you just have to sit there and read book, after book, after book,
hour, after hour, after hour, after hour. I have been an attorney for some time now
and I don't look back at my law school experience fondly. EXCEPT, one special memory.
My dog Buddy (who died of cancer two years ago) would sleep on my feet to
keep them warm while I studied for law school exams. I loved him. I still consider
him my first son. The nobility that I strive for, and may never have, he had it
completely. Honor, love, duty, strength, warmth, Buddy had it all. I loved my
dog Buddy. I love all dogs. It hurt me to hear what Michael Vick did to his dogs.
BUT, as a society, we can never put animals above humans. Michael Vick will
be doing a sentence longer than people who have hurt humans. If someone
had killed Buddy, I would not want them to do 2 years of prison. That is because, as
an attorney, I know what prison is like. I don't think Buddy would have wanted
someone to do 2 years prison for him. He was that noble. When people
hurt other PEOPLE they violate the "social compact". When you're part of society, you
agree to be part of the human team. Violence against animals is disturbing
and wrong. Punishment should be meted out for animal cruelty. But, we also
must save the strong sentences for people who hurt PEOPLE. Since Vick has
no criminal record, many persons similarly situated would get jail and probation.
The 12-18 month sentence was already a stiff sentence for a first-timer. Just
because Michael Vick turned out to be scum, WE don't have to be as well.
We can punish but not destroy under these fact. We are outraged but can
show restraint as well.