He deserves life instead of 23 months. Look at the torture of the animals. They didn't deserve that treatment – why should he get off so easy?
D.B., Albuquerque, N.M.

It is not enough time for this inhumane act. You can claim ignorance and upbringing in hosting dog fights but how can you defend the torture and murder of these animals. He should have a longer sentence and he should have to pay (if he is not already) for all the animals rescued from his home to maintain them and give them a good home. I maintain anyone that does an act this despicable has also caused harm to others such as women or children.
Joyce Carr, Louisville, Ky.

The sentence is not long enough. He should have to clean animal shelter cages and barns. What a low life. We all pay for our sins and some day God will judge him.
Ginny McKelley, Punta Gorda, Fla.

The scales of justice certainly have fallen out of balance. I could care less about football but making an example out of someone is hardly justice considering how many times this crime goes without punishment. The NFL can act surprised all they want they marketed this guy and now have hung him out to dry? This kid has had questionable associates since college I am sure, but yet Nike, the NFL and everyone wanted some of Vick, but now they run and hide. I am a pet lover, 2 dogs of my own, so what he did was wrong. But come on Tank Johnson is back in the league, and all the wife beaters still play.
Rick Looby, Rochester, N.Y.

I'm ashamed of Hank Aaron and the mayor of Atlanta. How could they possibly defend Vick? Dogfighters are sociopaths, they know what they're doing is wrong, they just don't care. I'm happy with the sentence, because celebrities rarely get more than a slap on the wrist. What a loser. He had everything you could ever want and blew it.
Lori Rideout, Las Vegas

The crime doesn't fit the punishment. If it was Tom Brady he'd be playing right now. Dog fighting is a European tradition, so stop saying it is an African culture please. People are killing elk for sport on ESPN every week. We need to reassess what animal cruelty is after this ridiculous sentencing. He didn't kill a person. We cruelly kill animals every day.
Duane Dowdy, N.Y.

Stupid is as stupid does.
Melanie, Virginia Beach, Va.

Hubris + Ego + Denial + Inner Thug = Michael Vick
Carl Grossman, Riverside, Calif.

I believe he actually got off too easy. Being an animal owner and lover, I look at his actions as murder. Think about it this way; a dog, even the most intelligent, is like a 2 year old. It looks to you (the owner)for direction, acceptance,and love. In the pack structure you (the human) are the alpha, the caretaker. To me, it's like killing a child that can't speak up or defend itself fairly. It's murder.
Max, San Diego

There is no excuse for what Michael Vick has done. I think before anyone passes final judgment, let’s see what he does once he completes his sentence. If there is true remorse on his part and if given a chance to return to the NFL, I think he can show what type of person he really is or can be. After all you have a murderess in Tennessee who served six months and is no longer in jail!
Robert Brown, Tazewell, Va.

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