NFL urged to include animal-fighting ban

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- An international animal-protection group says the NFL should add dogfighting and cockfighting to its list of banned activities.

Dogfighting is a crime in all 50 states and cockfighting is illegal in 48 states.

In Defense of Animals has sent a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asking him to add both activities to the "criminal offense" section of the league's Personal Conduct Policy.

Under the Personal Conduct Policy "violent and/or criminal activity is unacceptable." It specifically covers, but is not limited to, "any crime involving the use or threat of physical violence to a person or persons; the use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime; possession or distribution of a weapon in violation of state or federal law; involvement in 'hate crimes' or crimes of domestic violence; theft, larceny or other property crimes; sex offenses; racketeering; money laundering; obstruction of justice; resisting arrest; fraud, and violent or threatening conduct."

In a release, In Defense of Animals said the letter also was sent to Joel Segal, the agent of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who was convicted and served prison time for his involvement in a dogfighting operation.

IDA says it wants Vick to show remorse for his wrongdoing by publicly supporting the initiative when he travels around the country talking to at-risk youth, part of Goodell's terms for his reinstatement this season.