NFL Suspends Vick Indefinitely Just Hours After Details of Plea Deal Announced

I agree with you Jeremy.

And I agree with you kittychump. I would not want Vick 10 feet within my animals. I dont think he should work with animals. He cares nothing about them. He is a heartless man and working with them is not going to change that. The only way I would want to see him working around animals is just cleaning up their poop.

Mike Vick deserves everything he gets, and no where did I mention I am thankful to him What I did say is that for the American people, Vick brings to focus, the world of dogfighting. It is simple, before the whole Michael Vick situation Americas message boards and other various opinionated blurbs weren't clouded by anti dog fighting folks stating their cause were they? Infact I think most where inactive, now everything is lit up like Vegas on a clear night. You have radio, T.V., all periodicals, chat rooms etc. all talking about Vick's crimes. You don't have to be thankful, but you need to recognize that without a big name with a big face relating Americans to the big problem, no one pays attention.

Excuse me to the folks who suggest that part of Vick's "rehabilitation" should be working with animals in a supervised setting. MICHAEL VICK IS A MONSTER. Would you want a serial pedophile to work with kids in a "supervised way"??!!! And, fyi, serial animal-torturers and killers ALMOST ALWAYS also rape human beings. I am semi-retired but worked for years in victim-advocacy and worked for prosecutors on sexual-assault cases; the background of the serial rapists, often from early childhood on up, was classic: THEY ALWAYS HAD TORTURED INNOCENT, VULNERABLE ANIMALS. This is Vick's signature too. Don't kid yourself people - no animal is going to want to be anywhere near Michael Vick!! Animals are smarter than people - they can smell a bad person. Too bad humans aren't as smart. Obviously the prosecutors in this case aren't - or they'd be going for the MAX against Vick, not the "lower end of sentencing guidelines!" And by the way Jeremy, I'm not 'grateful' to Vick for 'raising awareness' - that's like saying I should somehow thank Jack the Ripper for raising consciousness about murdering women! Or be grateful to all the world's demonic genocidal murderers for raising consciousness about the need for tolerance! NO WAY. Justice cries out for punishment!!! These dogs deserve justice. And also the surviving dogs deserve Best Friends' shelter and care - not euthanasia by the "Humane" Society or the ASPCA!!!!! Michael Vick should receive the absolute maximum the law allows - and he should never be allowed near another animal again. I say: "Let Justice Fall Down Like Rain!"

I sure hope he can never play professional football again. Today i heard Nike is trying to figure out what to do with all his products. Thank them for permanently dropping him. I also called the judge to give him the Max sentence.
I hope he goes completely broke, and of course rots in jail!

I feel that time in jail is not even close to enough of a punishment for the torture and agony that so many innocent animals went through under his "care". It is so unfair to these dogs that some may not be able to ever trust any human again. I personally own three pitbulls (2 rescues & 1 purchased) and I know that all of my sweeties love anyone who offers a belly rub or a scratch behind the ear. It angers me to no end when someone takes the innocence of any animal away due to cruelty. Animals depend on people (much like children) to be loving and provide a safe and secure living environment for them. Vick should have been more than content with being WAY overpaid to play football, and then he wouldn't have to watch his life being jerked out from under him. I can't understand why anyone would find enjoyment in the slaying of so many innocent dogs. I only hope and pray that some if not all of the poor animals will be given a REAL chance at a REAL and HAPPY life.

Those who exhibit cruelty to animals are often sociopaths; in these cases, successful rehab. is not promising. Money may be better spent on insuring (perhaps by national registry) that he never be allowed to legally own another animal. Also, I am not impressed by ASPCA's commitment to rehabing "fighting dogs". Do any of you know to whom a letter may be written encouraging assessment by BF instead of ASPCA?

I know, Cathy..every time I see that smug look on his face I want to throw up.

Every time I see a picture of this individual, I feel my anger increase - YOU MAKE ME SICK, MICHAEL VICK. He is an empty, reprehensible, mean, cruel, "collective effort" murderous individual who has earned the maximum penalty available for everything he did to those innocent doggies - I pray the Judge gives the maximum sentence and maximum fine to Michael Vick, I pray he is never, ever allowed to own any animals again. I hope he never touches another football in his entire life. Bad boy? Vick will find out what bad boys are all about if he is confined in prison. Bye-bye indeed.

Kendra: Vick admitted that the dogs were killed by a "collective effort" and that he participated in that effort. He's trying to back away from the gambling charges that will most likely get him banned for life from the NFL.

Kudos to the NFL and Commish Roger Goodell for taking a stand!

From bogiedew: "bye-bye Michael Vick..life as you once knew it is now over. To bad... : )"

My sentiments exactly!! Now he has to come back down to earth with the rest of us!
Oh, and I swear this article didn't say anything about being suspended indefinitely when I read it last night. But I'm SO happy he'll never play football again! It serves him right!!! Woo hoo!

...oh well now that I read the NFL letter excerpts, it appears they only cared about the illegal gambling....

Although he is a person which obviously has a severe disregard for life, Michael Vick will be the one responsible for bringing the cruel world of dog fighting into focus to the 80 percent of Americans who probably would have never known there was a problem.
As punishment for Vick looms, we should remember that without Michael Vick America's majority is still ignorant to dog fighting.
Maybe he instead of bashing, someone should call his Probation Officer and get him signed up for an awareness campaign. I'm sure his agent could work that in.

Why are prosecutors asking for "the lower end" of punishment? Why do we have laws if they are not going to be used to the fullest extent?

Those 6 dogs were just a small percentage of the dogs he tortured. What makes me sick is that his Mother knew and she did not try to stop him. He is a walking target and I hope those animals get their justice.

Hi - in light of the Michael Vick events, I am especially pleased to share this with others! Thanks for reading it and passing it on if it interests you. If it doesn't, I apologize for sending it. ~ Nancy Cronk at www.Animal Chaplains.com.

Press Release August 24, 2007

"Animal Chaplains To Honor and Bless All Creatures on World Animal Day"

~ from the Interfaith Association of Animal Clergy

In what will look like a scene from the popular family movie, "Evan Almighty", scores of Animal Chaplains around the world will bless hundreds, perhaps thousands of animals in many different settings on October 4th 2007. At a pet cemetery on the east coast, to a city park in the desert, to a sandy beach on the west coast, they will walk in on a leash, fly in on a harness, and slither in their cages. Barking, mewing, bleating, mooing, whinnying and purring will join human voices in hymns of praise and worship.

That day is World Animal Day, a day dedicated to honoring, blessing, and protecting animals all over the world. World Animal Day was founded at an ecologist's convention in Florence, Italy in 1931 as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. October 4th was chosen as World Animal Day because it is also the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, a Catholic Church holiday which is often celebrated with an annual "blessing of the pets". Since then, it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and has been widely celebrated around the world. Churches and synagogues in many faiths traditions have adopted "Pet Blessing Day" or "World Animal Day" in increasing numbers every year.

The Interfaith Association of Animal Chaplains prepares for World Animal Day by referring its members and visitors to the official World Animal Day website. The site provides ideas and resources to individuals, families, community groups and congregations everywhere. People can post their pledge for volunteering at a World Animal Day event. In addition to blessing pets, volunteers will work at animal shelters, zoos, rescues, and other nonprofit organizations. Dogs will be walked, cats will be brushed, horses will be groomed, and fish will benefit from freshly cleaned tanks. Donations will be given to animal welfare agencies, and pets will be adopted. School children will collect pet food to be donated to charities, and bake sales and car washes will be held as fundraising events. Veterinary clinics will hold free spay and neuter days, or may offer to vaccinate pets at no charge. All over the world, on the very same day, the well-being of animals will be on the minds of millions of people.

Interfaith Chaplain Nancy Cronk feels a day honoring animals is very important at a time when the headlines speak of animal cruelty such as athlete Michael Vick's alleged ties to illegal dog fighting. Animal Chaplains would like everyone to know that every major faith endorses the responsible stewardship of the earth and all of its creatures. "Deliberate harming of animals is in direct opposition to teachings in all of the major world faiths. Caring for animals is our global spiritual responsibility. If we can teach this ethic to all of our children, animal abuse and suffering will someday become a distant memory".

To find out how to get involved on World Animal Day, go to www.WorldAnimalDay.org.uk. To find out more about Animal Chaplains, go to www.AnimalChaplains.com.

(This article may be reprinted.)


Chaplain Nancy J. Cronk
Founder, Chair and Chaplain
Interfaith Association of Animal Chaplains
www.AnimalChaplains.com
Email: AnimalClergy@aol.com

I have also heard that the judge in the Vick case is known to hand down harsh sentencing. Fingers crossed!

There is talk of the Falcons asking for money back from Vick, which was paid in accordance with his contract. His actions were obviously in violation of that contract. Let's hope he owes those millions back! As well as jail, life time ban from the NFL and fines (which will be used to fund animal welfare causes).

bye-bye Michael Vick..life as you once knew it is now over. To bad... : )

As far as what could be hoped for in such a horrific story, this was an excellent outcome. Kudos to Goodall and the NFL. Kudos to the prosecutors. You have renewed my faith in both the legal system and in showing compassion.

I still think Vick is a cowardly thug and he is going to pay dearly for this. I become disgusted just looking at his picture.

Lee Ellen

I hope the following happens to Michael Vick.

1 He goes to prison for at least 2 years

2 for him to pay for the care and rehabilitation of all the dogs for the rest of their natural lives

3 I want him to be on supervised parole for 10 or more years and never allowed to have an animial

4 After his prison time to work with a dog rescue organization ( with supervision)

5 Never to play in the NFL again

Although Michael Vick has been in the news for some time, I still can't get my head around this. Someone who looks like a human being intentionally injures a dog, and keeps on injuring that dog and preventing him from escaping, ignoring the animal's cries, until that dog is dead. I cannot get my head around this. And then the monster who looks like a human being does it again, and again, and again. And some other people in the monster's industry say it's ok, because, after all, they were his dogs. I just don't get it.

I'm so pleased that part of the court ruling was for Vick to pay for the care of the remaining dogs. I hope BF can arrange for them to be at the sanctuary, or with other people who can show them that not all "humans" are monsters. It would be incredibly wonderful if part of Vick's sentence could be a number of hours caring for the dogs (closely supervised, of course). I don't just want him in jail. I want him very publicly rehabilitated. Can you imagine what must be in the heart of someone who could do what he's done to animals?

Yes!!! I am pleased that he will be responsible for the care of the dogs hereafter. I am praying that those dogs that are able, are sent to BF. the poet said, "those to whom evil is done, do evil in return" .
However I also have faith that hearts can be redeemed, human and canine.

Well, now I'm confused. I just want to get this straight:

"Vick admitted to killing 6-8 dogs during a testing session in April. "

I read last night that he WAS NOT going to plead guilty to those charges. So does this article mean he did in fact plead guilty to killing the dogs with his own hands, or has he simply plead guilty of allowing them to be killed by someone else?

But I guess it's a good thing that he's going to pay for the dogs, but has he also agreed to submit himself to psychological care? He obviously needs it, and I don't think anyone can argue his way out of that simple fact. I mean, his supporters were the ones saying that "it's not his fault; he has problems" after all.