Dogfighting investigations on the rise in Philadelphia - Michael Vick to credit, or blame?

[joeybee12]

http://www.examiner.com/x-1028-Pet-News-Examiner~y2010m3d31-Dogfighting-investigations-on-the-rise-in-Philadelphia--Michael-Vick-to-credit-or-blame

Call it The Michael Vick Effect: Investigations of dogfighting in Philadelphia more than tripled from 2008 to 2009, when the Philadelphia Eagles signed Vick in August of last year, reports the Associated Press.

Law enforcement believe the spike is attributable to increased public awareness and reporting of dogfighting, while one animal activist believes it is because more people are becoming involved in the illegal activity.

"By hiring Michael Vick, the Eagles brought clear attention to a very awful thing that's done to animals," Tom Hickey Sr., founder of the Pennsylvania advocacy group DogPAC, told the AP. "But also by hiring him, they also said it's OK to do this kind of stuff."

According to the AP, there were 85 dogfighting investigations in Philadelphia in 2004, then 109 In 2005, 111 in 2006, 157 in 2007 and 245 in 2008. In 2009, the number of investigations jumped to 903 cases.

[QC]

1. Looks like the Michael Vick Fan Club is unreccing this. n/t

[joeybee12]

2. Too much cheerleading here at DU these days...n/t

[paulsby]

3. just off the cuff

as a WAG, i suggest it's probably some of both

fwiw, i am not a "fan" of michael vick;. but i think he SERVED his time, and have no problem with the NFL welcoming him back.

[the other one]

4. His presence has raised awareness

And people are finding the courage to report the bad guys.

In this respect his time in Philly has been a positive. I hope he soon gets a chance to be positive for another city.

[immoderate]

5. Why dog fighting? They already have MUMMERS!

--imm

[superduperfarleft]

6. I think dogfighting was already big in Philadelphia.

It's probably because of the publicity that the Michael Vick case received that they are stepping up enforcement.

And anyway, the new thing that's all the rage is "trunking" dogs. Google it for a description, or don't if you're sensitive.