As a free man, Michael Vick was probably the worst friend a dog could ever have, but as an imprisoned felon his story has helped to bring about changes that have made life better for animals here in Georgia and across the nation.

Millions of people who had no knowledge of what dog fighting was all about and what a sick, vile activity it is found out about it from news reports of this case, and were properly nauseated and outraged by what they learned. Citizen awareness turned into pressure on elected officials to do something about the problem. Laws were passed, and others tightened, making dog fighting illegal, and making participating in dog fighting in any way a crime.

Laws that were on the books but were difficult to enforce were changed to make it easier for law enforcement to make a case against these criminals. In Georgia, you had to be caught in the act of fighting dogs to be charged with dog fighting. Now, with changes in the law, being found in possession of equipment used in the activity, from fighting pens to training equipment, is evidence enough to bring charges. Law enforcement personnel have been able to prosecute a number of cases where previously they would have had to let the criminals go free.

Animal cruelty laws have been strengthened, making it easier to close puppy mills where animals are kept in terrible conditions, prosecute the operators of the facility, and get the animals into the hands of rescue groups who can care for their medical needs and place them into caring homes.

The Michael Vick story will continue to play out for years to come, but for now, at least for some animals, the world is a little better for his having screwed up.