Vick will spend the remaining weeks of his prison term safely in his own home
UPDATED The L.A. Times reports that Michael Vick has been released from prison, the rest of his sentence to be served at his 3,538-square-foot home in Hampton, Va., with the expectation that he will be officially released from Federal custody on July 20th.
There has been widespread speculation as to whether Vick will return to his lucrative football career, and which teams would be willing to take the PR hit involved in hiring him. Although NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell characterized Vick's actions as "not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible,” he has declined to make a decision on whether Vick could be reinstated as an NFL player until his sentence is officially over.
Some commentators have argued that Vick should be allowed to play because he “made a mistake” and has now “paid his debt.” Perhaps these people are under the mistaken impression that all Michael Vick did was fight some Pit Bulls. But dog fighting, as cruel a crime as it is, is the least of what Michael Vick did.
Purnell Peace conspired with Vick, Phillips and Tony Taylor to kill dogs
According to the prosecutor's statement of facts in the case, between 2002 and 2007 Michael Vick and his co-conspirators Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor killed thirteen dogs by various methods including wetting one dog down and electrocuting her, hanging, drowning and shooting others and, in at least one case, by slamming a dog’s body to the ground.
Michael Vick didn't make a mistake. He didn't "make a bad choice." Over a period of five years he forced dogs into deadly fights, and he personally killed, or conspired to kill, thirteen dogs. He didn't pick a quick, painless method of killing, but instead chose a variety of means that qualify as torture. Pit Bulls are powerful dogs. Imagine how hard you would have to work to kill a Pit Bull by forcibly drowning him.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also reports, "Sometimes [the dogs] were starved to make them more vicious in the pit."
And Michael Vick didn’t confine the abuse and killing to his own Pit Bulls.
Quanis Phillips, like Vick and Peace, "thought it was funny" to place family pets in the ring with trained fighting dogs
According to a November 2008 ESPN.com news story, a report prepared by the USDA's inspector general-investigations division revealed that Vick, Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor also put family pet dogs into the ring with trained pit bulls.
The report, dated Aug. 28, 2008, says, "Vick, Peace and Phillips thought it was funny to watch the pit bull dogs belonging to [Vick’s] Bad Newz Kennels injure or kill the other dogs."
Supporters say Vick apologized for his actions. But in his famous press conference apology, Vick admitted only to fighting dogs, despite the fact that he pled guilty to all charges, including the killings. He admitted to “making mistakes” and “immature acts.” But deliberately and repeatedly planning dog fights and repeated premeditated violent killings of dogs are not “mistakes.” They are not the acts of someone who’s merely immature. They are the acts of a sociopath and a predator.
If we can't admit that the crimes to which Michael Vick pled guilty make one a bad person, then we have no definition of morality anymore.
Vick supporters who want to see him play football again should, if they’re being honest, say “We don’t care what Vick did to dogs, we just want to watch him play football.” But please don’t say he apologized, nor that he paid his debt. You can’t pay a debt you’ve never admitted you owe.
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Former Vick fighting dog Leo now acts as a therapy dog, comforting cancer patients Photo: MSNBC.com
During the period when Michael Vick was in prison, two of the Vick dogs are became certified therapy dogs. They comfort the sick, children and the elderly. These dogs, who were never criminals, who never chose to hurt or kill others, are truly rehabilitated.
A man who can look a dog in the face and deliberately pick the most brutal and prolonged way of killing that dog, for nothing more than being insufficiently vicious – I think most people could reasonably wonder if such a man could ever genuinely be rehabilitated.
Comments
Agreed. There's way too much blood lust and glorification of the kind of sports hero Vick is. In fact, if some sports fans had their way,
murder of one's opponent would be legal. I think this man has much more soul searching to do, above and beyond the end of his sentence!
Wowo today was the first time i knew so much detail about what happened. I am just not sure anymore. I mean how can you just kill a dog that way or anyway. Fighting is one thing... i dont think it is right at all but torture. WOW. yeah thats just some sick shit!!!
at the end of the day though we all deserve a second chance. People do all sorts of crazy stuff all the time and society lets them out of prison and gives them another chance now if he mess up agin, then he should def be in jail for a long time.
Vick has served his time we all make mistakes in life regardless of what the situation. At the end of the day they are just dogs he did not commit a crime against a human. There are many current NFL players that are still in the league for murder example "Dante Stallworth" and Ray Lewis was involved in a murder case we need to forgive and forget what Mick Vick has done. I agree that what Vick did was wrong but he spent 2 years in prison..... we live a country where we kill chicken for food just because dogs are looked at has human we judge vick diffrently leave this man alone!!!
Beautifully written. Thank you for the reminder of what a truly disturbed and depraved individual Michael Vick is.
These guys didn't just kill dogs, they tortured them. Yeah, sure, Vick is a great role model for NFL kiddie fans.
He is revolting. I hope someone kills him on the football field.
" I hope someone kills him on the football field."
To anonymous:
You are a sick person ineed, I know this is an old post, but you are twisted. How could an individuals morals be so out of whack that you won't condone(for good reason) the killing of animials, and that is a horrible crime, but if someone kills him in football that is his just dessert? You are sick and need to take a hard look at your values, and how paradoxical your statement really is.
"but if someone kills him in football that is his just dessert?" What the hell do you think the death peanlty is based on - Just that concept - An eye for an eye. Killing anything the way he did, animal or human is wrong. If its an animal its horrible but if it was a human its worse. I see no difference. If someone did what he did to my dogs I would go after them, plain and simple, they are my family.
he tortured these dogs so isnt it his turn now ?
VbiGTOUGH FOOTBALL PLAYERS let' s do some of their tortutres on them..... see how tough they are........
I am truly discusted by what Michael Vick did to those poor dogs who don't know any better. I don't think he got what he deserved. Well written article, makes me remember how discusting he is.
Well said. I call him Michael Sick cause that's what he is.
dam
This is the article I was referring to.
Here is the article I was referring to.
I hope the NFL commissioner can stand up to the public pressure and say "no, this is just too heinous for reinstatement". Afterall Pete Rose was Banned from Baseball, and still after over 20 years is still banned for betting on the sport. Vick, not only bet, but he bankrolled, tortured and killed! If this isn't a reason for someone to be banned forever, it just doesn't exist in the NFL.
He should have to register with neighbors who have pets before he can move into a neighborhood...
I don't think he should have tortured those animals and make profits out of it, that is not right. Hopefully, he has learned his lesson. I'm not hoping anything bad on him because people make mistakes and they learn from them. So if he repents from what he did and he truly means it, then I don't see no problem for him to get back on the NFL.
I totally agree. I am in love with animals but i know humans are more valuable than animals. Michael Vick defiantly needed counseling and time in prison, but he deserves another chance cause like you said, everyone make mistakes.
There's no "mistakes" here. He knowingly tortured innocent animals. That takes a psychotic mind in my opinion. If the dogs were of no use to him anymore he could have simply shot them dead with one bullet, but he didn't. He deliberately and thoughtfully tortured them. The man is sick in the head, regardless of how you feel about animals.
I hope he will never play again he is a sick man what he did to those pore dogs is sick
Sorry guys, what he did isn't a mistake. A mistake is when you accidentally call someone with the wrong number, mess up on a spreadsheet or mistakenly accuse someone of something they didn't do. Those are mistakes. . What Michael Vick did was conscious, on purpose and a behavioral induced act by a very sick mind. What he did is one of the cruelest most culpable acts ever linked with a celebrity. He was the ring leader for a enterprise (criminal) & countless helpless dogs died at his hands by electrocution, hangings, beatings, drowning and shootings and all this in the name of “sports” & money. What you have here is a psychopath and also.... cruelty to animals is NOT something you do. It's something YOU are!
this is a very well written story and thank you for reminder. everyone is as you said "ready to give him a second chance" but its comforting to know there are many who, like myself, arent.
Sadly for the author, we do not live in Russia and we do not have gulags... we, as a society, have determined that once a person has paid their debt to society for a crime, they are now free once again to pursue their lives as free persons. In America we simply do not lock up people for the entirety of their lives for anything less than the most heinous of crimes. I don't condone at all what Vick did, but even if he never admitted he was sorry he spent more time in jail that some people have spent for killing another human being, and lost more money based on his conviction than most people will make in their entire lives. I don't care if I never see him play football again, but it's simply wrong to say this man has not fulfilled the debt to society that the courts imposed on him (and then some) and should now be allowed to pursue whatever livelihood he desires. You're more than welcome to boycott the NFL if you wish, but to continue to expect someone to be punished forever is crazy
Wow, I didn't realize he tortured and killed 13 animals (including family pets). I'm all about giving someone a second, but he MURDERED these animals. It's not like he was simply breeding them to fight because he's a competitive guy and would let them retire if they got hurt or get the help. No, he f**king killed them! Now, I'm not a huge animal lover, but if he'd murdered 13 people he'd be in jail for life. Again, I'm all about a second chance, but playing NFL is a privilage and in my mind he threw it away when he did this. In my opinion, he can have his second chance working like most Americans in jobs that pay under 100k/year not pro football.
agreed
*hangs head*...I am ashamed to admit that the team I avidly followed/faithfully rooted for/and was a devoted fan of ~ for 40 years: THE PHILADELPHIA EAGLES---signed this "monster" yesterday. I can't look at my beloved NEWFOUNDLAND dog (who is a beloved part of my family, a true and loyal companion and friend - filled with innocence and dependence on me) and, with clear conscience, continue to be a fan of the EAGLES.
I wonder how the Philly fans are taking this new.
Michael Vick needs to be rehabilitated just like those Dogs got rehabilitated. We are talking about a guy who grew up in a culture of pride, greed, and violence. If Michael Vick can speak out against the thug lifestyle and reach just a few people in the process then it will be worth letting the man play football. I keep reading the opinions of people that don't have a clue about what it's like to grow up around bad people and the kind of influences they can have on your psyche. I am not excusing his actions, I just feel bad for the animals and the man too. The life of Michael Vick hopefully will end in a positive light. It's just sad that most people can only see the past and not the future.
Jesse,
There are many differences between Vick and his dogs. They had no choice; Vick was a millionaire who had more choices than most people. The dogs didn’t INTEND to cause suffering. Vick absolutely intended to cause suffering, in fact he enjoyed it.
And no matter where a person grows up, either you’re a person who gets off on the pain and death of others or you aren't. To attribute Vick’s sadism to his neighborhood is an insult to everybody who came out of Newport News, who didn't have the moneymaking talent he had, and who still managed never to kill a dog. You can have a wealthy upbringing and be a monster; conversely you can grow up poor in a tough neighborhood and be a decent, humane person.
And no amount of rehabilitation can make someone who enjoys suffering into someone who doesn't. All you can do is not reward the behavior. Roger Goodell and now the Eagles have chosen to reward sadistic behavior with 1.6 million dollars. THAT’S the lesson kids are learning today.
I'm not a fan of football and way back when this happened I was interested because of what Vick did to dogs. This article is an important reminder to all who forgot the details. Is Vick THAT good a player that the NFL HAS to take him back? Yeah, I guess he "did his time" but to be allowed back into the NFL? Hmmmmm.
Wonderful article. As you point out, Vick did not just fight dogs. He tortured and killed them for pleasure. I cannot forgive him for this after just 18 months in jail.
What most don't realize is that Vick's co-conspirators did the dirty work. They accepted plea bargains to gang up on the bigger target. I'm a dog lover too, but I'm not going to swallow the Koolaid of liberal media to make me think that Vick is a murdering sociopath with an unquenchable blood lust. Use some common sense here folks. If you went to jail for a crime wouldn't you expect to be able to get a job after you paid your debt to society? Anyway, I applaud the Eagles for having the courage to put Vick on their roster.
no, vick supporter, if i went to jail for something i would not expect to easily be able to get a job after i "paid my debt" to society. vick? he served 18 months of 2 years, which was the LIGHTEST sentence after the minimal "plea bargain" he did not serve what a regular (i.e. not rich and famous) person would have served for his inexcusable and yes, as you say, "murdering sociopath...unquenchable blood lust." he is even quoted as saying he was "euphoric and high" from the experience of torturing and killing dogs. and ya know? there is a definite link between animal cruelty and human cruelty. and it is NOT Koolaid of liberal media, where is your brain?
I'm on Vick's side of this. And I'm not a dog-hater. Dog fighting is a bad thing, no doubt. I firmly believe that Vick went through the American Justice system and should be able to get a job. What else is he going to do? If you're going to loathe the NFL and the Eagles for their decision, why don't you use that energy to loathe the athletes that beat their wives & girlfriends, get tied up in murder charges or other crimes against fellow man who don't have to pay a debt to society. Vick will come out a better person, entertain millions and be a high visibility public figure who shows that people deserve 2nd chances; a case study in the rehabilitation within the American Justice System.
Vick Supporter,
You're wrong saying Vick's friends did the dirty work, by which I guess you mean killing dogs. I’ve read the prosecutor's statement of facts several times; Vick participated in killing many of the dogs, his friends consulted him before killing the others. The USDA says he participated in putting pet dogs in with fighting dogs. Vick participated in the actual fights, bankrolled the operation and bought the property where the dogs were kept and fought. Goodell and the Eagles know this.
Jimbo, sociopaths, people who enjoy the fear, pain and death of others, do not change into better people, it's how they're wired. No one thinks Charles Manson will change - then again, how much fun would it be to watch him play football? I'm not a fan of criminals in any sport, but this is a column about animals.
I appreciate my readers, but can't let falsehoods stand. The aim of this article is to get the truth out about who Michael Vick really is and what he really did to dogs.
Kate,
Don't get me wrong, your message is a good one, but move on to the next dog-fighting criminal. Vick did his time. I have to agree with Sudz on this one. The problem is that there are no other big names to condemn. If we want to discuss falsehoods, then I believe your psycho-analysis should be brought into question unless you have credentials not previously mentioned. Your choice of comparing Michael Vick to Charles Manson demonstrates that you equate crimes committed against dogs to those committed against other people. That apples to oranges I'm afraid. Charles Manson was locked up for life after initially receiving the death sentence. The severity of Manson's crimes is infinitely more disturbing. You don't get a 2nd chance there. You do, however, get a 2nd chance for what Vick was involved in. Vick has a chance to show that he has grown and bettered himself. I, for one, will give him that 2nd chance.
Jimbo, your an freeking duchebag if your willing to give him another chance only a man with no heart or soul would do that to a poor innocent animal that just wrong and i think the retards who let him out are the stupidest people on earth right beside the people who wanna give him a second chance
but jimbo, he has not grown nor has he been "rehabilitated". there is a video circulating on facebook which shows a man who rescued one of vick's dogs trying to tell him that he has the dog and the dog is okay, and vick's "spokesman" replies "we don't care about the dog". does that sound like someone who regrets what he did? not to mention, there is a direct link from animal cruelty to human cruelty, it's not apples to oranges. plenty of serial killers of humans started with animals. vick has not bettered himself! when the crowd booed him after a recent game, he gave them the "finger". that's nice, what a role model! go ahead, give him a second chance, but are you going to save the dogs??
Bravo to you Kate. This is one of the best written reports I have read on this situation. There is no debate, the acts committed by Vick are those of a sociopath. It is highly unlikely he is a changed person. While everyone deserves a 2nd chance, he certainly does not deserve to play in the NFL. That should have been a major consequence for his actions. Anyone who believes so is clearly lacking morals. AND....anyone who watched Vick on 60 minutes last night is clearly lacking common sense if they believed anything he said came from his heart. Very disturbing.
Nice comments all. Dog fighting is bad. Beating up humans is worse. I'm not sure when dogs became such prominent members of society but they currently garner much more sympathy and attention than certain human sectors. I see businesses closing left and right yet down the street I see thriving doggie boutiques that sell clothes and special bakery items for the canine species. It ain't wrong, it's just peculiar. There's a current trend occurring regarding the beating of homeless people. Out of frustration and out of pure adrenalin, the disenfranchised are now the dogs. I think it's time to take the dog off the pedestal and end this bestial worship. It's a f*cking dog for crissakes. The same wonderful pets that maul and attack thousands each year, for no other reason than they remain animals...despite how much we personify them.
I am not so much against dog fighting specifically as I am against the disrespecting of any life forms in general. To hurt an animal for your own amusement or to hurt a person for your own amusement is just plain wrong.
Does anyone recall a particular incident where a certain prominent Coach's son stuck a parrot in a microwave? The punishment for this was a fine. It seems to me we have double standards amongst our animal kingdom and dogs are vaulted above and beyond Iguanas, Parrots and Tarantulas. Just because it's more challenging to clothe these other species and bake treats for them doesn't warrant a blind eye in THEIR torture. Pet snakes are flushed down toilets as are alligators. This to me is cruel hypocrisy and illustrates how uncommitted we are to embrace all of the Wild Kingdom.
Bartholomew,
I didn't hear the parrot story but please feel free (as are all readers) to send info on ANY animal abuse story you feel isn't getting covered to: examinerkatela(at)gmail(dot)com.
I agree stories on reptile and bird abuse are under-reported but no less serious. If a creature feels fear and pain, and there's scientific evidence they do, as well as moral evidence, which is to say we know it in our hearts even if we tell ourselves they don't -- then we need to treat them humanely and hold people accountable when they don't.
I'm on the Vick story not just because he killed dogs, but because so many people don't realize what he did, others deny its seriousness, and because I believe someone who tortures and kills animals for kicks doesn't change. But since he can play football many want to believe he's changed, despite the evidence of their own eyes. But you're right, birds, snakes, iguanas all deserve love, humane care and advocacy as much as dogs and cats do.
"I'm on the Vick story not just because he killed dogs, but because so many people don't realize what he did, others deny its seriousness, and because I believe someone who tortures and kills animals for kicks doesn't change. But since he can play football many want to believe he's changed."
-On 60 Minutes he expressed how when he was a kid he would see adults engaging in dog-fighting and police officers turning a blind eye or being indifferent. As a kid, to see questionable activity endorsed by authority, or at least, NOT PROHIBITED is incredibly impressionable. Very simply put, he's essentially a product of his environment. You condemn him as unable to learn from his mistakes. I think that's pretty narrow and equally as judgemental. Do you learn from mistakes? Have you been to prison? If not, I don't think we qualify to walk in his shoes. He is under mentorship from Tony Dungy who lost a son to suicide. He's surrounded by people who care for him which proposes a new environment.
Kate, I have to agree with Jedidiah. It's powerfully tempting to adopt a 'holier than thou' stance in morally tempered situations. It's also entirely human nature to "project" their circumstances and perspective as a universally understood and adhered to application. It's extremely limiting and ultimately sheltered. You don't live in a vacuum and you shouldn't put dogs in a vacuum either, that's just as cruel. My point being, dogs are cuisine in other cultures. Family dinner. Just as cows are here. Meanwhile, cows are sacred and given deity status in India. These are mere cultural differences. But just because we are America, one country, it is not accurate to believe we are therefore one culture. We are a hybrid of many cultures within one somewhat unifying theme. Michael Vick was brought up in a different culture than you...and I. Dog-fighting is acceptable in that culture. He did not invent it. To disregard HIS culture is a stance of moral superiority that borders upon intolerance.
Vick was almost 27 when arrested; a millionaire who went to Virginia Tech and played in Atlanta, hardly a backwater. In the USDA report at thesmokinggun(dot)com/archive/years/2008/1124081vick1(dot)html you’ll see he took measures not to be recognized at dog fights. He knew, better than many of his fans, that he was committing a series of crimes for over five years.
It's astonishing anyone can imply growing up poor in Newport News either robs you of any soul or shred of morality, or constitutes a free pass to kill dogs. He was born in 1980 in the U.S. This is his culture. He’s a grown man who made choices for himself; in fact he had options undreamt-of by most people. He not only chose to fight dogs, he chose to strangle, electrocute, drown and slam dogs into the ground until they died, and hide the evidence which, in the real world, shows consciousness of guilt.
To suggest being poor and black inevitably leads to that kind of unrepentant savagery and sadism is flat-out racist.
And frankly Gunther, I'm quite okay with being considered intolerant of people who kill animals for fun. In fact, it's my job.
I understand your outrage, but you are an idealist. It's not a perfect world and there won't ever be justice. Not to discourage you from your contribution...it's admirable. But there needs to be more intellect here than just quantifying statements as 'racist.' The implication wasn't in regards to being poor and black, that's YOUR interpretation. The implication is that if I, myself, grew up surrounded by authority figures, prominent and highly influencial adults that were fighting dogs, as an impressionable child I would absorb this as acceptable behavior. We are all adults discussing this, using our developed rationale to discern clearly and morally, right and wrong. As a child that is distortedly unclear. Which is why we attempt to taboo not only violence but sex as well. The idea is to 'shelter' kids from such provocative experiences because the level of absorption as a child is radically different. There is no moral compass, we haven't developed filters.
Of all the things to be concerned with? Animal Cruelty? Really? If this is the top of the priority list for you then you should disassociate yourself from current civilization and retreat to the wild where you can cavort with wildnerness and be their guardian. Leona Helmsley's will left a $12 million trust for her dog and nothing for her two grandchildren. Is this human cruelty? Or are dogs deserving of financial independence as well?
"Dog fights could have occurred in any state, in a barn or a city warehouse. The participants could have been Caucasian, African American or Hispanic, and the year could have been 1897 or 1997. Since the 1800's, dog fighting has attracted the attention and admiration of royalty, politicians, doctors, farmers and police officers, as well as the wrath of animal protectionists, who have fought hard to end it. Yet achieving a better understanding of this bloodsport, rather than simply condemning it, must precede any real effort at wiping it out."
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