ASPCA to Speak at Conference on Michael Vick Case

The 2007 dog fighting scandal and resulting federal case against former football star Michael Vick and his codefendants dominated the press for months and generated overwhelming public concern. On Friday, September 19, the American Bar Association (ABA) and the National Canine Research Council will host “Prosecuting and Representing Animal Abusers and Caring for the Victims—the Michael Vick Case and Its Impact on Cruelty Cases” at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, IL. The purpose of the event is to learn from the proceedings of the federal case and discuss its impact on future cruelty cases.

The program will feature the ASPCA’s own Dr. Melinda Merck, the lead forensic veterinarian on the Vick case, who will present “Forensic Veterinary Medicine at Work: Case Histories.” Additionally, Dr. Pamela J. Reid, Vice President, ASPCA Animal Behavior Center, will be a featured panelist in a discussion called “Evaluating and Caring for the Victims: Where They Are Now.” Ledy VanKavage, ASPCA Senior Director of Legal Training & Legislation, is the conference’s program chair.

“This was an extremely important case that warrants some ‘post-game’ review,” says VanKavage. “As horrific as it was, the Vick case taught society to reexamine how we investigate, prosecute and care for the victims of animal fighting.”

For more information, please visit the ABA online.