In D.C., Vick throws support behind anti-dogfighting bill

A year ago at this time, Michael Vick was facing questions about a shooting outside his 30th birthday party, his future in the NFL in doubt.

On Tuesday, though, Vick went to Capitol Hill to endorse a proposal that would make it a crime to attend an animal fight or bring a child to such an event.

Vick, who was released from prison in 2009 after serving 18 months for leading a dogfighting ring, appeared with leaders from the Humane Society of the United States to back the bill, now pending before Congress.

"I'm doing it for all the people out there who are involved, because there's so much more that you can be doing with your time," Vick said. "There's so many animals that can be raised in better households and used as pets and having happy homes instead of being used for pointless activity and being harmed."

Vick's appearance in Washington was the latest sign of the change in public perception for the star quarterback, once reviled for his crimes, now going to Congress on behalf of the Humane Society, which he has worked with since leaving prison.

The bill would make it a federal misdemeanor for attending an animal fight and federal felony-level crime for bringing a child. Penalties would include up to a year in prison for attending, and up to three years for bringing a minor to such an event.

It is already illegal in 49 states to be a knowing spectator at an animal fight. The federal law would complement those state laws, according to the Humane Society. The main sponsors of the legislation are Reps. Tom Marino, a Republican from Pennsylvania's 10th District, Jim Moran (D., Va.) and Betty Sutton (D., Ohio).