NFL

Readers react to Vick sentencing

updated 12:07 a.m. ET Dec. 11, 2007

The purpose of sentencing guidelines is to ensure fair and equal punishment. Society is outraged when famous people aren't held to the same legal standards as others. We should be equally appalled that celebrity status means additional time behind bars. We can't have it both ways.
Bonnie, Winnebago, Minn.

Michael Vick is guilty for cruelty and he deserved his sentence. But what about people who hunt for fun, e.g. shooting animals, inflicting pain for fun. Is that cruelty also? Are they much less cruel than Michael Vick? How do you define cruelty?
D.N., Houston

Vick got what he deserved. He should have been made to fight with a UFC Fighter, to give him a taste of what he put those animals through. More offenders need to be prosecuted and sent to prison.
Armand, Burlington, Vt.

The man should be set free. Each major city and county in the U.S. kills about 50,000 dogs annually with taxpayer money and employees. His behavior has been sensationalized and his punishment vastly exceeds his deeds.
Phillip Huffines, Dallas

He got off easy! Vick had all the privileges and money of a superstar, and should have known better than to carry on felonious activities. He was the money behind the dog fighting, so should receive the greater punishment.
Tom Langenfeld, Crofton, Md.

Now Vick will get to experience to some degree the same living conditions and fear that these dogs lived with for their whole lives.
Ted Jones, Winston-Salem, N.C.

Do the crime, do the time.
Chris, Phoenix

I feel Vick got what he deserved, but needed more time to think about his actions. To have millions of dollars and be so arrogant is beyond me. Being a black American I am tired of rich black athletes doing stupid making the rest of us look bad.
Ralph Chubb, Johnson City, Tenn.

Exactly what he deserved. Should have been 23 years instead of 23 months.
Mike, Indianapolis

Is there any record of people that have committed the same crime out there that have been sentenced just as harshly?? That would be interesting to see? I think that is the problem, people say we should punish people harder that are in influential positions, THAT'S WRONG !!! This shows that we as a society are holding these people up like they are MORE IMPORTANT than everyone else in the world..... We wonder why they make so much money and are help higher than the team that they play for?? Can anybody show me a "normal" person that received this kind of punishment for DOG FIGHTING?
Matt, Erie, Colo.

Good. The guy is making millions of dollars and is a role model for Americans, and who hangs, drowns, and electrocutes dogs? When in prison he should be given psychological help. Michael Vic is a nut case. Fortunately he also is a "was."
John N, San Rafael, Calif.

I think it's a fair sentence considering that he lied repeatedly about his behavior and it seems he still fails to own up to his bad behavior and choices.
Angela, Newport News, Va.

This guy never knew he was doing such a bad thing! I don't condone it for I love my two dogs but he was brought up in this atmosphere and never grasped the idea that it was against the law! The judge should have realized this & used common sense when sentencing...
Lou Ritchey, Pittsburgh

He should have received more time. Hope he loses everything, people are sick and tired of celebs (overpaid I may add) getting away with 'murder' and everything else in between. Now he can see how the rest of us survive… barely...by working.
Deborah Walker, Spokane, Wash.

23 months? How long is that in dog years?
Paul Lister, Bethlehem, N.H.

23 months is ridiculous. That amounts to little more than a slap on the wrist. 5 years would be more appropriate.
Gary, Livonia, Mich.

There are murders of humans who do not spend 23 months in jail.
Tammy Riley, Brewton, Ala.

I hate to see it but the law is the law. All of the excuses are just excuses. It is really too bad that such a young man as well as a great athlete would jeopardize their career to abuse and kill animals.
D.C., Dallas

This could very well be the first step toward criminalizing raccoon hunting. The other sports that involve dogs may be in jeopardy as well. Dog fighting was a sport. The only reason it is illegal is because the government isn't collecting taxes on it.
Matthew Buswell, Clinton, Tenn.

ALSO ON THIS STORY

Discuss: Sound off on the NFL at Newsvine.com

There would be no legal sentence that would satisfy me for what he did to those innocent dogs. I can think of an illegal sentence that would make me extremely happy. Clearly being exceptionally talented and handsome wasn't enough. He showed his heart and the rest is history.
Nancy Baldwin, Lynchburg, Va.

CONTINUED : It's not long enough

1 | 2 | Next >