ATLANTA,None — Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick appeared alongside federal lawmakers on Tuesday to push for a stricter animal fighting law.
Vick, who pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2007, served more than a year in prison for fighting dogs at his Virginia home.
Cameras swarmed Vick as he walked into the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Channel 2s Scott MacFarlane reported. Vick is being recruited by animal rights groups who are hoping to use the quarterback to lobby for tougher laws.
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Vick and some congressional leaders announced their support of a new federal law that would make it illegal to attend an animal fight. Staging a fight is already a federal felony, but now the target is the spectators who bankroll the fights by gambling on animals.
"It took me going through what I went through to understand the magnitude of the entire situation. I've learned so much," Vick said in the hearing.
In Georgia, it's only a misdemeanor crime to attend an animal fight, a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine. The new federal law would stiffen penalties and help local police.
"Many of these animal fighting rings happen in rural counties with very small sheriff's departments that are understaffed and underfunded. By having a federal statute these communities will get the support they need," John Goodwin with the Humane Society of the U.S. said.
Vick watched a video of children attending a cockfighting ring in Alabama during the news conference. The new proposed law would also make it a felony to bring a child to an animal fight, something that Vick saw before his arrest.
RAW VIDEO: Michael Vick Interview Inside U.S. Capitol
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"I started to see kids were involved. You are involved at a young age. That's when you learn about it. There's so much more they can do with their time," Vick told MacFarlane.
Following the news conference, MacFarlane asked Vick if he remained in contact with anyone in Atlanta.
I still communicate with Arthur Blank. That relationship will always be there and I appreciate his friendship, Vick said.
Falcons as well? Players? Teammates? MacFarlane asked.
Yeah, plenty of teammates. Roddy White, Michael Jenkins and the guys who are still there. I got a chance to know Matt Ryan, so its been great, Vick said.
Vick is now a quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Humane Society of the U.S. has worked with Vick since his release from prison and encouraged the National Football League to reinstate the quarterback.
"His efforts on the front end to prevent kids from going down this road have been so important and so significant," Wayne Pacelle with the Humane Socitey of the U.S. told MacFarlane.
WSBTV
