When Judy Carman heard about the dogfighting scandal involving NFL star Michael Vick, she started praying.”My first reaction was to pray for the dogs he and his co-defendants have killed, for the dogs who have suffered but survived and for the men involved in these crimes, as well as all people who engage in such brutal activities,” Carman says. “The criminals who torture animals need prayers, because they clearly do not experience the beauty and wonder and love that animals can bring into our lives.”!Carman, who lives in McLouth, is co-founder of Animal Outreach of Kansas and author of “Peace to All Beings: Veggie Soup for the Chicken’s Soul.”Vick, quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, announced this week that he will plead guilty to federal dogfighting charges. Three co-defendants already have pleaded guilty.Officials have said Vick and his accomplices operated a dogfighting ring and killed poorly performing dogs.”What Vick has done to these animals is horrifying to all caring people, but what really stands out, I think, is that this man knew he had become a super role model for children and teens, someone they wanted to emulate,” Carman says. “He had a lot of money, which he could have used to help those less fortunate. He had the power to influence millions of fans to live ethical, responsible lives. He chose instead to torture, abuse and kill innocent dogs who were completely at his mercy.”Carman (pictured above) says dogfighting is a problem throughout the United States. She notes that a couple in Atchison was charged with dogfighting this week.But animal abuse isn’t limited to that – not spaying and neutering pets is abuse, she says, because animals’ offspring can end up being homeless and die an early death at a shelter.”I think it’s clear that our culture and most people of faith still have not fully awakened to the fact that God loves all creatures, not just people,” Carman says. “But it is a huge taboo to think about who you are eating, and little attention is paid to the damage we do to all animals because of our lack of motivation to live gently on the earth and in harmony with all life.”But she thinks high-profile cases such as that involving Vick can, in the end, actually end up helping the animal-rights cause.”My biggest hope is that this will shock Vick and others like him to wake up and see what they are doing,” Carman says. “If this happened and Vick took an honest and believable public stance against dog fighting, I think he could do tremendous good and influence many fighters to stop this shameful and cowardly practice.”_ – Faith Files, which examines issues of faith, spirituality, morals and ethics, is updated by features/faith reporter Terry Rombeck. Have an idea for the blog? Contact Terry at trombeck@ljworld.com, or 832-7145._