restoring the image of pit bulls and challenging breed discrimination More>

Prev of 87 stories Next

Pit Bulls: Saving America's Dog

Michael Vick’s Future Uncertain

July 25, 2007 : 4:14 PM

Michael Vick is not in training camp with his Falcons this week as he should be.

by Jon Dunn, Best Friends Staff

The National Football League (NFL) has ordered the 130-million dollar quarterback to stay away from camp while they conduct their own investigation. Meanwhile we had a chance to hear from the people who sign Vick’s paycheck.

“Many options were discussed,” said Falcons team owner Arthur Blank during a news conference in Atlanta, “including a paid leave of absence, which we didn’t think was appropriate under the circumstances.”

Blank said they were pursuing the maximum punishment allowed, a four game suspension, but that they will not take any action against Vick for now. “After reviewing the options, I do think that this is the best approach for all involved at this time,” said Blank.

Blank fully admits that Vick’s absence from the field may well go into the regular season, so it makes sense for the team to practice and prepare without Vick.

“I know that many people are deeply distraught and incited by what they read in the indictment, and I am as well,” said Blank. “This issue has put a spotlight on one of those things that remains wrong in this world. The notion that anyone could participate in dog fighting is incomprehensible to me.”

The NFL could decide under their player-conduct rules that Vick be out for the entire season, something Blank believes could be a decision that Vick should make on his own.

"This is not about playing football in 2007. It's about having your life move forward. My only personal suggestion to Michael is he focus on his defense, getting his life together in that regard. It would be very difficult for him to do that and focus on football at the same time."

Many media outlets in attendance at the press conference noted how tired Blank looked, the two month ordeal clearly wearing him down. Pressure from outside groups, including Best Friends Animal Society, has clearly been making a difference. About 50 members from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) protested again outside the offices of the Falcons, and the headquarters of the NFL. The Best Friends “It’s not Cool to be Cruel” petition has garnered more than 27,000 signatures, with an ultimate goal of 50,000. The results of the petition will ultimately be delivered to the NFL.

Vick will be in court for the first time tomorrow. He will be in front of a judge to hear the charges against him, and issues like bond will be discussed.

What You Can Do

If you have not yet done so, please sign our petition that will send a clear message to the Commissioners of all professional sports that behavior like that of Michael Vick should not be tolerated. If you have already signed, please open your address book and send it to everyone you know. The sooner the goal of 50,000 signatures is reached, the sooner the petition can be delivered!

Comments

August 3, 2007 at 12:17 PM
posted by: southerndogmom

This is a very well written opinion piece which encourages people to look at Vick's behavior in context with other individuals and to not cast Vick in the role of a victim.

I like this quote: "The presumption of innocence does not extend to the world of print ads and TV spots. It stops at the courtroom steps, and if he didn’t know it before, Vick surely knows that now."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20082273/

August 1, 2007 at 11:28 AM
posted by: southerndogmom

Rawlings dumped Vick yesterday:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/07/31/bc.fbn.vick.rawlings.ap/index.html

Good for them. I opined from the start that it was unlikely that Vick would face jail time and I hoped this would affect him financially. It is and it will.

He'll still have millions if he wants to fade off into the sunset or go buy some island to live on (fine with me) but I do hope he will not longer be a public figure and this his celebrity status will have served a purpose:

To educate people across our country about the horrors of this so called "sport" as a way of ending it once and for all.

July 30, 2007 at 2:32 PM
posted by: southerndogmom

One of Vick's co-defendants just pled out:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/07/30/vick.dogfighting/index.html

This bodes well for the prosecution. This man pled guilty, will get a reduced sentence and will most likely become the prosecution's key witness against the other defendants. It appears that Vick financed almost the entire......I'm not sure what to call it. I was gonna call it an "operation" but even that is too civilized a word.

July 27, 2007 at 6:35 PM
posted by: kendra

I agree with you, tippydog90. I think that there are so many factors that come together to determine behavior, that it is unfair to assume that these dogs are all aggressive and dangerous and will always be so. I think that it's only fair that these dogs be evaluated by a professional with experience working with and rehabilitating the breed. Hopefully, since the ASPCA is so involved with this case, their animal behaviorists will get a chance to give each dog a temperament test before euthanasia is determined.
It's only fair to give the dogs a chance. Plus, I think it undermines the severity of animal cruelty if the court decides to put down all of the animals involved anyway. It's like saying "We're going to punish you for hurting them, but then we're going to kill them because you hurt them." It doesn't make any sense to me...

July 27, 2007 at 2:27 PM
posted by: tippydog90

ruthy92
i have never suggested adopting these dogs out, nor have i suggested that every single one of them should be placed. what i am saying is they deserve a chance to be evaluated. some of these dogs are likely pups that have never been fought. i have spoken to people that have worked with this dogs before and know that they can have a positive outcome, depending on the circumstances. i also worked with many, many of these dogs in the aftermath of katrina and was never once faced with even the slightest amount of aggression by any of these dogs (yes, many, many fighting dogs, you could tell by their battle scarred bodies). i also think there are possibly opportunities to use these dogs to advocate for the breed and i have ideas on how that might come about. and i think in turn, that will help the plight of the ones in shelters. the point is to take this tragedy and "try" to have a positive outcome, both for the individual dogs, and the breed. maybe if a conviction takes place, the proceeds from the sale of the property, which would be forfeited by the defendents, could be used to provide for some of these dogs as well as be used to help end this horrific practice. i think this tradegy just may provide an opportunity to help this breed, and help these poor dogs involved. it is just going to take a colloborative effort and people who are willing to try.

July 27, 2007 at 12:58 PM
posted by: ruthy92

kathy q, it is local government who makes the decision about euthanasia

Because they are the ones who will be held legally responsible (sued) should something happen

And there's a lot of litigation going on!

July 27, 2007 at 12:52 PM
posted by: ruthy92

tippydog, there have been many many many terrible failures with "rehabilitating" fighting dogs, and primarily children and other pets have paid the price.

EVERY time that happens, the reputation of pit bulls goes down the drain.

The pit sanctuaries are overloaded. There are hoarders that will continue to take them, but that is horrific. But the pit resues and shelters are stretched to the limit!

Some of these dogs simply cannot get placed.

Not to mention, does it make sense to be housing unplaceable dogs for an eternity when lovely, problem-free pits are getting PTS in the shelters?

(and yes, quite a few high-profile pit "advocacy" groups either don't address the fighting at all and pretend it doesn't exist, or try to "explain away" scarring and fighting equipment. It's a disgrace, and one must wonder who their lobby really is)

July 27, 2007 at 10:09 AM
posted by: southerndogmom

I suspect the only way these dogs will be saved is if they're taken by a sanctuary where they would never be adopted out to a family. Other than BF, I have no idea where that would be...

I keep throwing out the idea of Southern Friends, a BF facility located in the rural south (like Alabama) but perhaps those found guilty in the Vick case could at least finance Pit City at the Kanab sanctuary. I know it wouldn't help these specific dogs but perhaps in the future when dogs arer "confiscated," they would have a special place to live in Kanab....

July 26, 2007 at 9:37 PM
posted by: kathy_g

Sadly, from what I've read, the HSUS has a policy which most shelters adhere to, stating that ANY fighting dog is NOT to be adopted out-not even puppies.

About a year or so ago here in Florida, there was a rather large dogfighting bust-it was heartbreaking the sheer number of dogs(and young puppies) that HAD to be PTS according to HSUS guidelines...no matter how sweet they were to humans-they could not leave the shelter alive.
Sad sad sad.

Out of all the animal abuse I've seen in my life-dogfighting is probably the one I hate the most.

July 26, 2007 at 8:40 PM
posted by: bogiedew

Dont watch Nancy Grace if you want to be sick. Alls she shows is footage of dogs fighting.

July 26, 2007 at 3:47 PM
posted by: aml

WHERE did the adorable picture for this story come from? Does anyone know?
(Yes, I have signed the petition and forwarded and forwarded it on... I just think the picture is over the top gorgeous)
Thanks!

July 26, 2007 at 3:15 PM
posted by: michelle

Also, CNN is currently at 2 pm CST reporting and showing footage "of hundreds.. perhaps thousands" (their quote)of demonstrators lining up against Vick outside courthouse for 2:30 pm hearing EST.

At 7pm tonight on Paula Zahn they will focus on the "Subculture of Dogfighting." Cable television news programs wil be all over this case/subject tonight. Court date just set for November 26.

July 26, 2007 at 1:14 PM
posted by: scratchtopaz

Up to date coverage of today's court hearing can be found at: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/13760544/detail.html
There's protestors staged outside the courthouse both for and against Vick!

July 26, 2007 at 11:54 AM
posted by: tippydog90

ruthy92,
fighting dogs have been successfully rehabilitated and placed in other situations. i am not suggesting that these dogs be placed with just anyone, nor placed in cages the rest of their lives. i am suggesting "appropriate" placement with highly qualified rescues and/or sanctuaries that are committed to doing what is right for these dogs. i also believe that many pitbull rescue groups are doing all they can to stop the breeding and the fighting and are advocating for this breed, but it is a huge task that is going to require a lot of collective effort. putting these dogs down is not the answer. and i think it would go along way for advocacy of the breed if it can be shown that these dogs are "salvagable" for lack of a better term. i think they deserve no less than our full effort to do what is right for each of these dogs, realizing that what may be right for one may not be right for the other.

July 26, 2007 at 11:42 AM
posted by: ruthy92

tippydog, some of the dogs that come out of dog fighting are NOT placeable.

It would be terribly unfair to other people and other pets, as well as the fighting dogs themselves, to place them.

They are terribly aggressive, and no amount of "training" can stop this in some of them.

This is something I know of first-hand.

It is NOT an acceptable alternative to keep them in cages for the rest of their lives.

And you have the dog fighters to blame for this.

If you focused your efforts on stopping the fighting and the breeding, then dogs would not end up in this situation.

That is where the the pit bull advocacy community has failed these dogs terribly. There has been little done about stopping the fighting and breeding.

July 26, 2007 at 11:04 AM
posted by: tippydog90

I would like to encourage everyone to read the blog link posted below regarding restitution and the future of these dogs. I strongly believe that every effort should be made to place these dogs with highly qualified rescues and/or sanctuaries, or provide them with a place of their own. To euthanize these dogs would only compound the tragedy. Last week I also started a petition to the HSUS and local animal control agencies that are caring for these animals, asking them to make all efforts to place them. Right now, they are facing euthanasia after the trial. But I believe additional efforts should take place to save these dogs beyond this petition, but it is a start.
www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/219515592

July 26, 2007 at 10:14 AM
posted by: cattees

The words "Michael Vick" and "future" are oxymorons.

July 26, 2007 at 10:09 AM
posted by: kathy_g

Today; as I go about the things I need to do, I am dressed in black in remembrance of all the unknown number of dogs who have suffered and died at the hands of this cruel activity. I will be at the courthouse in Spirit.

July 26, 2007 at 9:11 AM
posted by: rmlamasney25

thanks pitbull and phhaddock for those links.

And I too am glad BF posts the photos of the kind of dogs being brutalized. It highlights the beauty, nobility and inherent goodness that evil people try to pervert and destroy.

July 26, 2007 at 9:11 AM
posted by: southerndogmom

I don't want to divert too far from this thread, but Tammy Grimes of DDB will be at the courthouse in Virginia today.

She also has four tickets to an NFL game she doesn't know what to do with and is solicting ideas on the DDB web site. She was going to auction them off but in light of recent events, has decided not to do so. If you have any ideas on how these tickets can be put to good use (polite ideas of course; some of mine aren't particularly nice), please let Tammy know.

July 26, 2007 at 1:58 AM
posted by: colleenamareena

I'm very glad that Mr. Blank made the statement, "The notion that anyone could participate in dogfighiting is incomprehensible to me" in a public forum. This is what we're fighting for--people everywhere to realize that this is going on, that it's really bad, and that the people participating should be punished for the pain and suffering they are inflicting upon these poor creatures. This is very encouraging indeed, and I hope that if Vick is convicted, the NFL and other pro sports leagues will do what our petition asks, and make an official policy reagrding this atrocious activity.

(By the way, I LOVE the picture at the top of this article!)

July 25, 2007 at 11:55 PM
posted by: pitbull

Check out the blog at http://network.bestfriends.org/Blogs/PostDetail.aspx?bp=4838 for some interesting ideas on restitution. If this idea could be sold, the 54 seized dogs could have a chance at life....

July 25, 2007 at 6:40 PM
posted by: phhaddock

Animal Fighting:
See the animal fighting laws in the state in which you live...
http://network.bestfriends.org/tennessee/news/8784.html

Get Political For Animals:
A Step-by-Step manual for how to win strong laws for animals in your area
http://network.bestfriends.org/utah/news/17093.html

July 25, 2007 at 6:26 PM
posted by: phhaddock

A large Rally/Vigil is being held in Richmond tomorrow at 3:00 to coincide with Vick's court appearance. Sponsored by Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare and Dogs Deserve Better:
UPDATE: Dog Fighting Rally/Vigil In Richmond on Thursday, 7/26

July 25, 2007 at 6:21 PM
posted by: bullydog

Excellent point, southerndogmom. Thank you.

I think the public, in general, is getting very sickened by the favoritism showered upon these celebs. It's a very tiring message of rewarding people for their constant screw-ups -- those things which would get us "mere mortals" locked up for years. We get the justice we can afford, eh? It's a sad world.

"This isn't just about a singular individual named Michael Vick. It's about a culture of violence and a culture of public figures who believe themselves to be above the law. "

July 25, 2007 at 4:37 PM
posted by: southerndogmom

NFL Commissioner Goodell has already acknowledged publicly that the organization has no idea how widespread involvement in dog fighting is in the league.

This isn't just about a singular individual named Michael Vick. It's about a culture of violence and a culture of public figures who believe themselves to be above the law. And I would not be surprised to find that this particular dog ring extends beyond Virgnia; I'm told there's a possible connection to my home state of Alabama and that dogs may have been transported to Vick's property to fight.