Letter to Leno regarding Vick

Thursday March 31st, 2011

Editor's note: Many Dogtime readers have written to share their concern, and utter disbelief, over Jay Leno and Chris Rock's discussion of Michael Vick and dog fighting. This letter is aimed at Mr. Leno and his colleagues at NBC. They have the tools and the reach to start educating people about this crime, and it is my sincere hope they will take this opportunity to do so. Feel free to add your own comments as well.

Dear Mr. Leno and NBC Executives,

I'm writing to you on behalf of Dogtime's many readers who were shocked, outraged, and ultimately disappointed with the comments made on last week's show. To claim that Vick "mistreated" a dog is like saying Bernie Madoff filched a few bucks.

The horrific abuse these animals suffered is not a joke, and it's incredibly offensive to make light of such sadistic violence. Vick's dogs were starved, chained, and beaten senseless. They were forced to fight with broken bones, dislocated jaws, and massive bite wounds. The females were confined to rape harnesses, and the "losers" were drowned, electrocuted, and hanged with Vick's own hands.

Dog fighting is cruelty at its most extreme, and any society that tolerates this kind of torture is far from civilized. (For a look at a dog fighting victim, click here, but be warned--the image is graphic and highly disturbing.)

Mr. Leno, if you'd like further information on this topic so that you can educate yourself, your guests, and your audience, please don't hesitate to be in touch.

Sincerely,

Leslie Smith
Dogtime.com, senior editor
editor@dogtime.com

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	A PERSON LIKE THAT NEEDS TO BE BITE IN THE BEHIND THE NERVE OF HIM, WHEN MOM SEES SOMEONE MISS TREATED A DOG SHE WILL GO TAKE THE DOG FROM THEM AND TELL THEN THEY NEED TO HAVE THE SAME THING DONE TO THEM, TO SEE HOW IT FEELS, DUFFUS 5 months ago by duffus
	I have watch you for years and i was discussded when i herd what you said!! I dont get it would you joke about rape or child abuse?? Your a comic do you not know what is funny figure it out dumb ass.Do you think they felt no pain. Maybe you would like to fight for your life every day and be abused.I will no longer ever watch you again nor will any one in my family. I will I will curse your name to any one that will listen. NBC- Its time to fire this idiot. about 2 years ago by Anonymous
	Jay, surely you must have a heart. You are very influential. Please use that for good causes now, why don't you suggest that a good portion of Micheal Vick's salary go toward saving dog's lives. That man deserves hell in his life, yet instead he is back playing football?!? What's up with that. Do you know he discarded the weaker dogs by throwing them in the pool tied in battery cables? Please do something to help the recovery of these animals? over 2 years ago by Anonymous
	I echo the many comments made on this subject. "What did Vick really do?" Wow, that's the most ignorant statement of the decade. Find something else to joke about. This isn't remotely funny. I'm an owner of two terrier mixes, one of which was used for bait in dog fighting. This is a senseless and inhumane practice that no one should condone. Both Rock and Leno brushed off Vick's offense like he was jaywalking...excuse the expression. I won't be Jaywalking or Jay-viewing anytime soon unless I hear a sincere apology. over 2 years ago by Anonymous

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