It's been making the headlines lately, much to the chagrin and anger of dog lovers worldwide: Michael Vick, convicted felon and animal abuser, says he wants a dog. Not to beat, electrocute, fight or torture this time around. Nope. He says he wants a beloved family pet not just to show the world how serious he is about turning his life around, but to help continue keeping him on the straight and narrow.
And here's the kicker: the Humane Society of the United States thinks it's a great idea.
In an interview with NBC News and TheGrio.com (click on link to see the video), Vick said:
"I would love to get another dog in the future. I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process. I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love and my passion for animals; I think it would be outstanding. If I ever have the opportunity again I will never take it for granted. I miss having a dog right now. I wish I could."
As part of his "penance" after prison release, Vick became a sort of quasi-celebrity spokesperson for the HSUS, speaking to school children about the dangers of animal cruelty and the error of his own ways. HSUS President Wayne Pacelle has not been shy about his backing of Vick, quoted as saying Vick deserves a second chance.
(But not the dogs. The HSUS advocated for the euthanasia of many of Vick's rescued dogs, taken from his Bad Newz Kennels and initially used as evidence in the felony case against Vick.
"Officials from our organization have examined some of these dogs and, generally speaking, they are some of the most aggressively trained pit bulls in the country,” said Pacelle. “Hundreds of thousands of less-violent pit bulls, who are better candidates to be rehabilitated, are being put down. The fate of these dogs will be up to the government, but we have recommended to them, and believe, they will be eventually put down. It is lose-lose for the dogs. They either die a gruesome death as a dogfighter in action, or they will be killed because they are not adoptable.”
See the story about how these "not adoptable" dogs are doing today in their new homes.)
In light of the latest developments, Pacelle has chimed in again.
"I have been around him a lot, and feel confident that he would do a good job as a pet owner," said Pacelle.
He also said that while it's too early for Vick to have a dog, it could be appropriate after his probation ends.
"There may be some who would forever deny Michael Vick the opportunity to have a pet. I understand that sentiment. But there is a larger principle at stake here," he said in a statement. "We at The HSUS are about the business of change — personal and societal change."
Vick is also whining about how much his little girls want a dog and how sad he is when he tells them they can't.
"My daughters miss having one, and that’s the hardest thing: telling them that we can’t have one because of my actions."
Many readers wonder if Vick's daughters know about those actions, and how they reacted to that news.
The star quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, who has been drooled over this season by sports commentators for his athletic "comeback," was convicted in 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting ring. He then served 18 months in prison and another two months of home confinement. He returned to the NFL in 2009 with the Eagles, quickly gaining the starting the slot after Donovan McNabb was traded and Kevin Kolb suffered an injury and lost the spot.
Vick was placed on three years of "supervised release," meaning that at some point in 2012, he will be able to own dogs. According to his probation papers, Vick is allowed to have other pets in the meantime, just not "canines."
What do you think? Do you think he should ever have dogs again? Or any pet? If so, under what conditions? Do you agree with the HSUS' viewpoint? Many readers angry about Vick's statements equate this to a child molester or abuser, after serving prison time, announcing he's ready to adopt or foster an eight-year-old girl to show the public how much he's reformed his life. Has Vick really reformed his life, or is he riding the good-PR wave built by his stellar football season? Can he actually reform? What would it take to prove that?
What's your take on this?
Comments
"... there is a larger principle at stake here," he said in a statement. "We at The HSUS are about the business of change - personal and societal change."
Maybe "clueless" should get a grasp on what the word "HUMANE" actually stands for, and what the intent/continuing mission of the Humane Society of the United States truly is, as "America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect..."
From their own website:
"Our mission statement: Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty"
"We're the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization"
Seems to me Pacelle is celebrating the abuser here, and not confronting cruelty in an adjudicated abuse case that prohibits animal ownership FOR LIFE: WHAT PART OF THAT DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND, PACELLE?
This is PUNISHMENT for cruelty previously inflicted on helpless creatures!
Would you grant a convicted child molester adoption rights, because he wants a child to "help continue keeping him on the straight and narrow"?
Any Child Protective Services representative endorsing that would be immediately terminated, SO WHY IS PACELLE STILL ALLOWED TO REMAIN SUCH A HANDSOMELY PAID (for 2009, $270,000 in salary and benefits) HSUS REPRESENTATIVE?
If ever there was justification for his dismissal, this statement alone provides it!
HSUS, act immediately and decisively to remove Pacelle: YOUR VERY REPUTATION HINGES UPON IT!
Actually, at the end of Vick's far too short probation of 3 years he will be free to own a dog. I agree, it should have been for life. Pacelle never said he pardoned Vick or that he should be free to have a dog. What he did say was it was too early to tell and that at the end of probation, Vick should be evaluated. The court spoke and Pacelle is dealing with the facts as they exist.
Vick is a loathsome sociopath. I'm hopeful HSUS will watch over him for three years and be instrumental in determining if he can again own a dog.
As for the fight victims that HSUS advised euthanasia, Pacelle has admitted his mistake and in Feb, 2009 he stated that each dog from a fighting bust should be evaluated individually.
Thank you! You are one of few regarding this a'hole who seems to get it.
I'd much rather see all those so obsessed with Michael Vick and the HORRIFIC things he did, put their energy towards saving all the animals who are born and raised to feed our nation. Cows, pigs and chickens suffer in small pens, never see the light of day, then are mistreated in the butchering process. WE consume their meat! Something is wrong with that, but no one protests those animals being BRUTALLY MURDERED! No one shows up at those factory farms with signs like they do at football games . . . What Michael Vick did and does has NOTHING To Do With MY Life! Eating meat that has lived and died a tortured life CANNOT be good for us . . .
I hate this sonofabitch. I think this story (not yours, Kyra) is yet another way for Vick's publicity team to try to clear his name ... as if that's ever going to be possible. I, too, wonder if his daughters know about his penchant for abusing animals.
Anyone happen to know what happened to the guys who participated in this 'business' with him? No, of course not, because they aren't in the media and whatever they're doing isn't on the radar.
I don't give a damn what this a'hole does. He served his time, paid the penalty and now UNLESS I want to challenge the legal system, I accept their verdict. That challenge isn't such a bad idea mind you, but that means WE - All Citizens - must vote, using the crappy system to change the system. Last elections results though show what MOST people don't care enough to bother voting though, so we're stuck with this system.
WHEN Michael Vick gets to have a dog for his family, that dog will be the most watched dog on the planet. This while other dogs and cats are brutalized and tortured, and all this hatred for Michael Vick does NOTHING to solve that wrong. I won't defend him, but I will not waste my thoughts on what he does now or ever. He is NOT the face of dog-fighters, that is the neighbor down the street or the family in line at the grocery store, who have a fight pen on the back of their property. Yes, people seriously need to set their priorities and refocus. Vick is not the problem now, let it go.
I disagree, Vick will ALWAYS be the problem, because whether or not he ever dog fights again or is not the only one doing so, he is the celebrity face of dog fighting, period. Just like Tiger woods is the poster boy for infidelity, people in the lime light become poster children. In my personal opinion, I have never been more passionate in my life over anything like I have this subject. He is a peice of S***T, and should NEVER EVER be able to own a dog again as long as he lives. He should have to show his child pictures of what he did to dogs and then say "this is why we can't ever have a dog again". Let him get a gold fish or a hamster, buy your kid a zuzu pet with the millions you are now making again.
I pray that this man is never allowed to own a dog, I agree with almost everyone here and I for one am wiling to waste my time and breath to stand up for the animals that cannot do it for themselves. He is a disgrace to the human race and as far as I am concerned they should have attached some meat to him and put him in a ring with his dogs and see how well he came out.
I hope those who donate to HSUS will STOP!
Why would you say that? That organization has helped thousands and thousands, no millions of animals across our nation, but you'll willing to have many more animals suffer without having that help available . . . Because of Michael Vick? Did you even read the statement from Wayne Pacelle - not just this article and the interpretation?
WOW! This is what I mean about people having lost their focus on what's important and what matters. At all costs, people are stuck on stupid . . . How about the other guys that were there with Michael Vick? Where's the anger about them or the endless attention to them? I'm beginning to think many of the so-called animal rights activists are media whores, much like PETA with their shocking ads, looking to get attention any way they can. Turn the page.
And Wayne is not a media whore? I'm sorry, but are you the clean up crew for HSUS? I don't see the other guys making over $250,000 a year salary off of donations like Pacelle!
He should NEVER have another dog! His daughters "suffering" is his fault and not a reason to put an innocent dog in the hands of a killer. He should have to deal with the consequences of his crime, one of which should be to never own a dog again. He has said quite publicly he would still be fighting dogs (and torturing and killing them) if he hadn't been caught. Is that the kind of person you want caring for your dog? I think not! He's a sick person who thinks it's ok to kill and torture innocent animals. He doesn't give a shit about them. He just doesn't want to feel bad when his daughters want a dog and can't have one. He should go rot in hell!
Are you people serious? That would be like letting Susan Smith adopt two small children and giving her a car and two car seats and a house next to a lake.
http://www.examiner.com/animal-rights-in-dallas/most-valuable-player-or-...
I don't think Michael Vick should ever get the opportunity to have any animal, not even a bird!! He needs to feel the pain that all of these sweet animals endured! SO A BIG FAT NO TO HIM!!! Shame on the Humane Society!!!!
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