Following Up

Follow-up stories are sometimes hard to find. It seems like there should be more done than there are. They are probably even harder to find when the story involves an animal or animals as victims. That's where this E60 story about some of the dogs once owned by Michael Vick is different.

The story starts off with video of Vick's apologies to his teammates, the NFL and the Atlanta Falcons' coach and owner after he pleaded guilty to dog fighting charges. Jeremy Schapp, the ESPN reporter, then brings up a great point that hasn't yet been covered. Vick didn't apologize to the dogs, who were his victims. Schapp goes on to explain how elaborate the dog fighting operation was on Vick's property. There is an interview with a federal authority who testified about how much land was devoted to dog fighting.

Schapp then goes on to explain where many of the dogs who were found alive on Vick's property have gone. It turns out many have gone to kennels. Schapp visits one animal shelter where many beagles, who were not involved in any fighting, were taken. Schapp goes to one of the owner's homes who adopted one of the beagles. This was a great help to see how far the dog has come since being involved in Vick's operation. In Schapp's interview, with the beagle on the owner's lap, it was clear that the dog had found a good home. The owner told Schapp that she think Vick should have to "mop out" the cages that his dogs now stay in. The owner said when she found out her dog used to belong to Vick, her reaction was only "empathy."

Again, I thought this story was a great follow up to what many would have otherwise forgot. I think it's a great service to the people who had strong reactions to the Vick case to see what is happening with the victims now. That is a big part of journalism.

I'm all done with my reporting now so I'm taking it pretty easy. I'm still just trying to stay in contact with people around Columbia and Mid-Missouri so I have good relationships when I get back in the summer to start B3. I am excited to do a full semester of reporting and will be able to use many new skills I have learned this semester.