I find Vick’s actions with respect to hanging and electrocuting his animals morally indefensible. And I find your outrage to be righteous. However, when I see the full force of a vitriolic media come to bear on issues other than Vick’s public personage and stray into the realm of the rights of livestock owners whose property (like pet owners) have always been regarded as chattel, then I speak out. The effect will be do gooder federal legislation, more restrictions and mind control. These are matters best left up to the local sheriff and town board.
This my friend is ultimately what is at stake
Well, it seems what bothers you is the idea of local law vs Federal, not the law itself.
Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 States and a felony in 48.
If the local authorities are not enforcing the laws, then it is the responsiblity of the Federal government to do so.
Madison was more concerned with corruption on the local level then he was on the Federal level.
Each level of law enforcement has a role to play in making sure that laws are enforced and the criminals do not use the States for their own private criminal activities.
Cruelty to any animal should be against the law, there is no excuse for it and no society should allow it.
The righteous man regardeth the life of his beast Pr.12:10)