Football & The Failure of American Prison System
Dogfighting Laws
Federal, state and local laws against animal fighting have toughened over 30 years, a result of society's heightened sensitivity to animal cruelty:Federal Law
In 1976, Congress outlawed interstate promotion of animal fights and the transportation of animals across state lines for fighting, with penalties of up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine. The fine was later increased to $100,000.In May, the punishment rose to three years and a $250,000 fine. Vick is charged under the older law because the accusations cover a period ending in April.
He also is accused of violating a federal law against interstate travel in aid of certain criminal activities. That law, with penalties of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, does not list dogfighting but does include gambling.
Vick has agreed to plead guilty, his attorneys said. Sources said federal guidelines in his case call for a prison term in the 12-to-18-month range.
State Laws
Dogfighting is a felony in 48 states and the District and a misdemeanor in Idaho and Wyoming. Possessing a fighting dog is legal in Georgia, Idaho and Nevada, a misdemeanor in New York, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming, and a felony everywhere else.Being a spectator at a dogfight is legal in Georgia and Idaho, a felony in 22 states and a misdemeanor in 26 states and the District.
Washington Area Laws
Participating in a dogfight:
Maryland: Felony, up to three years, $5,000 fine.
Virginia: Felony, up to five years, $2,500 fine.
District: Felony, up to five years, $25,000 fine.Possessing a fighting dog:
Maryland: Felony, up to three years, $5,000 fine.
Virginia: Felony, up to five years, $2,500 fine.
District: Felony, up to five years, $25,000 fine.Being a spectator at a dogfight:
Maryland: Misdemeanor, up to 90 days, $1,000 fine.
Virginia: Misdemeanor, up to a year, $2,500 fine.
District: Misdemeanor, up to 180 days, $1,000 fine.SOURCE: Humane Society of the United States; Maryland, Virginia and D.C. criminal codes
I wanted to preface my comments with listing what the actual laws are for dog fighting. Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months. 23 months is more than 18 using the math I learned in public schools.
A bigger issue is the purpose of the American Prison system. The purpose of the system is to rehabilitate the inmate to become a productive member of society. What is being displayed is the fact that our prisons accomplish nothing. This a modern day legal slavery. The government profits from goods made from prisoners though paying them between around $10 per day. This is amazing being that minimum wage is now $7.25. Of that $10 much of it is used to pay for the food and lodging. This is almost slavery. We usually think that slavery is illegal when in fact the Constitution specifically made it legal in the situation of imprisionment.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.