Vick Attending Humane Society Event
I just read this in our local paper, Vick is scheduled for a visit to Atlanta to attend a Humane Society Event.
Michael Vick canceled a celebration in his hometown of Newport News, Va. so he can attend a Humane Society event in Atlanta.
A spokeswoman for the Humane Society of the United States’ national office confirmed Monday night that Vick is working with the animal organization, but had no details.
The Atlanta Humane Society has no affiliation with the national group and a spokesperson said the local organization has no events scheduled with Vick.
Vick was scheduled to attend a celebration in Newport News on Saturday. The event will be rescheduled so Vick can be in Atlanta, event organizers told the Associated Pres.
Vick has been conditionally reinstated in the NFL after completing a 23-month federal sentence for running a dogfighting ring. The Newport News celebration was to be his first announced public event since his freedom.
Has Vick suddenly become a dog advocate trying to right his wrongs? Or is this a publicity stunt, trying to get back in society’s good graces?
What I want to know is if Vick becomes a spokesperson for the HSUS is he going to be paid? Because if he is, I have a big problem with that.
Give me a bark, let me know what you think.
* Pic courtesy Associated Press
There is not much he could do to get back in anybody’s good graces if you ask me! What, are we supposed to believe that he is now a dog lover? Puhleeeeze!
I think it is just a publicity stunt to try and get an NFL team to think he has changed and should be able to return to the NFL. He shouldn’t even be around animals.
I’m sure he has someone advising him on improving his image so that he can get back in the NFL. A leopard does not change its spots.
WHile I am skeptical about his abrupt about face, I wish I had the opportunity to be there in person and see just how he handles what is sure to be an extremely awkward appearance. If he is genuinely trying to atone for his sins, we should embrace him; but if it does turn out to be a publicity stunt, he deserves to rot in hell.
Horst, Lisa, will you be attending?
I don’t believe for a minute that he’s trying to right his wrongs…this is a publicity stunt to get him back into footbal where he can make tons of money and regain his celebrity status! It makes me sick! What he did to those poor dogs is unforgiveable…he has not changed, he just wants us to think he has.
He has not shown any remorse for what he did. This is only a publicity stunt. he is only concerned about palying football.
His motives are for MICHAEL VICK and not to help educate against dog fighting! Unfortunately, a sadist has no remorse.
I’m appaulled that HSUS would embrace this sadistic monster. They should hold their heads in shame.
Who’s paying for him to travel with such an entourage? Is that where HSUS donations are going?
First of all I would have not let him in!!!!
He is a murderer as far as I’m concerned. I spent years doing Animal Control and now my daughter has been doing it for 13 years. People like him are all over and should spend the same amount of time in jail as people who commit crimes on humans.
He doesn’t care about the animals!!! ONLY MONEY
He is a worthless piece of —-.He should not be allowed back in the NFL. In fact the best thing for him is just to die!!!!! But suffer first
I agree with everyone, it is strictly for publicity. I also think he should be banned from ever owning a dog, a cat, any animal period!
Oh right- Mr. Puppy Love himself!
I hear about his dog fighting- What about his “chosen” methods of “euthanasia”?????
Drowning, Electrocution?????
He did THAT for entertainment!!!!!!
Why does no one bring up this disturbing and frightening side of Vick?
As for Me and my house we will boy cot any sponsor that back The Team Vick plays on and also anyone that puts this Monster in the lime light.
We so Vicks go into the night and don’t come back out.
I’m just having trouble being convinced Vick is a changed person or really into the humane treatment of animals. And like you, if he is being paid for these appearances, I have a major problem with it. And I think any team would suffer if they signed him. And I think his prison time was much too short. He has a very violent and dark side. And it would not surprise me if he done it again. Vick just bothers me in my soul. He has yet to show any kind of regret or remose for what he did.
Or perhaps this is court ordered? I don’t trust him after what he has done, boo on dogfighting!
I also don’t believe he is doing this to express remorse or to right his wrongs. It is for publicity all the way.
I am all for second chances, but this man is only doing this to further his own career and make a profit. It makes me sick that he has been reinstated, and have been firing off emails and letters all week.
There is a group on Dogster now dedicated to stopping this madness: For the Love of Every Dog, if you are interested in joining.
He is not being paid by us (the humane society of the united states). He is working to help reach kids that we would never be able to reach to help combat dogfighting.
This is a video of Wayne Pacelle, HSUS President, explaining the goals and reasons for working with Vick:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3gcz-ldBl8
I ask you to take a look and please keep an open mind; if Vick can convince ONE kid who is prone to the dogfighting culture NOT to get involved and save ONE dog, it will be worth it. That’s the HSUS’s thoughts.
I too have a problem with him getting paid to work with the Humane Society. And I see that people should be given second chances, but I don’t think that second chance should be playing football making millions of dollars. He should have to get a regular job making normal pay!
I saw the video and I’m sorry Carie, but I’m not buying into this. If the HSUS wants to reach out to certain groups of kids and also needs to be more ethnically diverse then surely you can find a better representative than Vick. There are other minority celebrities out there that aren’t morally bankrupt that could serve the cause.
By the way, if you wanted to reach out to these kids and present a more diverse face to the public why haven’t you done so before now? And why with such a soulless creature like Vick? Pardon me for saying this but Wayne Pacelle must be a very poor judge of character or very gullible if he believes Vick is remorseful for his actions. Vick’s smart enough to know that if he plays nice now he can worm his way
back into the good graces of most Americans, he is after all a big spots star. Being that too many Americans priorities are askew in relation to sports figures I’m sure this will work out just fine for him.
I’m saddened and sickened that the HSUS is helping him accomplish his goal. Perhaps it’s not to late to drop Vick and say you made a mistake, but I suppose that ship has sailed.
Here’s another reason not to use Vick to reach these
“at risk” kids. This will reinforce to many of these kids that you can commit the most horrendous acts of cruelty and violence and get away with it if you say you’re sorry and participate in a little dog and pony show to “prove” it, especially if you’re a celebrity.
Use some one who is of good moral character and has committed acts of selfless community service, someone who these kids could look up to as a hero and role model. God have mercy on us all if any of these kids look up to Vick in that way.
I’m a firm believer in second chances, but only if
one has earned and deserves the privilege ( yes, second chances are a privilege not a right). Neither of these conditions apply to Vick.
If the HSUS wants to preserve any credibility, cancel Vick’s appearances and drop him as a spokesperson. He needs to become the societal pariah that he is.
@mollydog we have done it before. HSUS has worked with many reformed dog fighters.
http://www.hsus.org/acf/news/sean_moore_profile_ada_052209.html
And Wayne has made it clear that he is still skeptical and Vick has alot to prove.
HSUS is not helping Vick accomplish anything. It’s about helping the dogs and the kids he’ll be able to get through to.
Vick is not an HSUS spokesperson. He is working with us to reach kids who are prone to dogfighting, and hopefully change their outlook and steer them away from it. Kids we wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise.
OK Carie, I wish I had seen the Sean Moore video first.
Point well taken. We’ll see how this Michael Vick tactic works out. If it helps a few dogs and a few kids that’s better than no help at all.
I’m still skeptical of Michael Vick’s motivation, however.
Vick failed polygraphs several times when he LIED about his involvement in killing dogs.
why would anyone believe a word he says now?
logical reasons anti vick
I saw the video and I’m not buying it either. If the HSUS is convinced it needs an NFL star to reach out to at risk kids, why on earth wouldn’t you choose one who can set a GOOD example for these kids rather than this unrepentant trash the HSUS has chosen as it’s spokesman.
Why not someone like Jarrod Cooper of the Oakland Raiders? He and other Raiders players are helping fund a initiative called “Code 597,” after the penal code violation for animal abuse. The goal is to educate the public on better care and to fund dog shelters.
Cooper volunteers almost daily at the shelter (and hey guess what, he’s doing it willingly, not court ordered or part of some PR stunt). Interestingly enough he’s worked with some of the VIck dogs rescued by Bad Rap. Check out this picture of Jarrod and his buddy Hector (a former vick dog) :
http://www.cafepress.com/badrapstore.267334045
Did you know he was at a high school on Monday practicing with the students at Landsdown High School? Our Group has emailed and sent letters to the school administation voicing our disapproval
Please come and join our Dogste Group. We’ve begun a personal letter writing and emailing campaign directed against the NFL and teams who’ve indicated interested in signing him. We are personally not purchasing NFL-embossed products.
Please come and help us fight the good fight every bark counts
Dogster Group ‘For the Love of Every Dog’
@Mollydog thanks for listening. I understand you’re skeptical. Just remember that we are too, as an organization. We will see.
To Jake’s Mom:
Excellent, excellent point!!
I saw that article too, Tucker. Yeah – I would really like it if a convicted FELON (or whatever) was interacting with my TEENAGER!!
I think this man, who had millions of dollars and stands to lose millions if he isn’t accepted by the public, has hired a p.r. person to improve his image. He is no more concerned about the welfare of dogs than he was the day he went to jail. He wants back what he had and this may be the only way to get it. I wouldn’t let him use me for that. There are others better suited to mentor youngsters on the evils of dog fighting who are sincere and have a heart. I remember what his dogs looked like and this guy is heartless.
Syl
Jake’s Mom…Bravo. We had not heard about Jarrod Cooper..how about him for a spokesperson HSUS? You don’t need to find role models who have done the heinous things Vick did. There are plenty of NFL players who do the right things. Only they don’t get press time. Only the ones out wasting their lives, their talent, and endangering and harming others. Why do you have to pick one of those members…plenty of sports figures to chose from. HSUS will never get another dime from me or most of my friends. Vick is crying crocodile tears. Put up poster’s of his poor victims, speak out for the ones he made sure could no longer speak. There is a special place in hell for Vick and his buddy’s. As for the ones following him around and entertaining thoughts of him in their organization supposedly dedicated to saving animals….there will be things you have to answer for yourselves. I do not need to watch videos you put out. The videos I saw of abused animals were enough for me. How do you sleep at night? Don’t you hear those poor animals cries when you close your eyes? We joined Max’s group, For the Love of Every Dog…to give those animals a voice. To make sure they are not forgotten. How naive of us that we thought someone like the HSUS would be doing the same…not joining the people fawning over Vick…just seeing dollar signs. We are watching…and we are vocal. We vote, we choose where to spend our money…..we will not be silent.
It’s a stunt. He just wants to play football again and will do or say anything to get it. Whether he means it or not! The man should fry!!!!!!
To Jake’s Mom,
I didn’t know about Jarrod Cooper, thanks for bringing him up. That’s exactly the type of I was talking about, the HSUS should be using him to reach out to these kids. They should learn by example, not infamous notoriety and forced,
insincere acts of contrition.
He is in my prayers and God only knows his heart. We should forgive our brethren and God has forgiven us for our sins.
Amen, Karen I think he deserves a chance to repent his sins. I believe he can do a lot of good if he steers just one person away from dog fighting and the damage it causes to both animals and the people who find it entertaining. They used reformed drug addicts and alcoholics to urge others to abstain so why not let Vick put out the message that dog fighting is something we need to stop now.
To Abby
Makes you wonder what the Landstown High School has planned for career day
Should be great, maybe they can shuttle some of the inmates over from their state prison! A known sadist, federally-convicted criminal as an influence for high school students. The blindness and absurdity of it is nothing less than aggregious!
Let me throw rocks at him.
Firstly, thanks Carie for posting those links; I’m glad you did that so we can see another side to an argument that leaves many of us, including me, deeply sceptical of Vick’s motives for this. I’m finding it very hard to contemplate that he might have changed his “spots”, but I guess time will tell.
Still, whatever he does now won’t do anything for the dogs he murdered and abused in the past. I wish I wasn’t so set against him and could believe he could do something towards redeeming himself, but whenever I visit the Best Friends site and see how far those beautiful dogs have come in spite of him…I think he’s an awful human being.
Letting a man that murdered dogs by hanging, drowning, and shocking dogs while IN THE POOL, speak to children?
What has this world come to?
“I ask you to take a look and please keep an open mind; if Vick can convince ONE kid who is prone to the dogfighting culture NOT to get involved and save ONE dog, it will be worth it. That’s the HSUS’s thoughts.”
I don’t buy that for a second, especially coming from an organization that was first in line to call for the death of the dogs confiscated from Vick’s property. The HSUS also called for, and got, the death of the dogs from Wildside’s yard. HSUS is an anti-pit bull organization .
I supported and defended the HSUS when many wanted to lump it in with radical animal rights groups like PETA. I will support and defend it no longer, as giving Vick a platform is indefensible.
I will give Vick a second chance only AFTER he has taken a swim-for-his-life in his metal swimming pool!
The petition at The Petition Site calling for a boycott of NFL Sponsors currently has 5,403 signatures. This petition will go to all the companies that support the NFL. Please tell everyone you know – if 300 people sign it – it will be a fly in their soup – if 8 million sign it – we will get their attention.
http://www.petitiononline.com/ridofvic/petition.html
I don’t believe Vick is sorry or cares about dogs at all. I believe he just wants to get back in our good graces. A few weeks ago I would have said there is nothing he could do to get back in our good graces but I’m shocked that the NFL decided to reinstate him. He will never be in mine but it looks like people will forgive him. It makes me sick to be honest.
Eventually he will be paid to be a spokesperson I bet. That makes me even more sick.
HSUS can try to justify their use of Vick all they want, I will not support them. This is like using OJ Simpson to talk about domestic abuse. They are merely riding the coattails of Vick’s notoriety for their own gain. The ends do not justify the means. I agree with Jake’s mom–use someone who is actually worthy of respect and can be listened to without all these questions and doubts going through your mind. If we as adults can wonder about why Vick is doing this, the kids will too–they are not stupid.
Boycott the NFL. Some teams are actually considering him. The NFL wants him to play. Obviously, the NFL hates animals too.
I don’t buy it. Vick has motives only for himself. He’s trying to “right his wrongs” enough to see if people will back down and stop sending letters to organizations expressing their disapproval. His motives are to get the “dog people” off of his back so he can get a job in football. And if we can help it he wont have one. And just another suggestion: Ben Roethlisberger as a spokesperson he already donates a police dog to every teams city that the Steelers play against.
What a joke! I can’t believe he has the nerve to do this! Does he think we’re stupid? He’s putting on a performance so he can play again. I don’t believe his intentions are good and don’t trust him as far as I can throw him – which isn’t a bad idea. He should be ashamed of himself, but apparently he’s not! I will definitely be signing the Petition. He makes me ill!
I can’t believe that he can change. I don’t think he’ll ever indulge in his past work (dog fighting) but I’m not too sure if I agree with his performance in changing. Prison does change some though. I don’t agree to pay him. He should be dishing out the big bucks to help shelters and HUSUS with rescues etc…. We’ll see after he starts playing football (millions of bucks) if he donates to any dog societys. Then maybe I’ll believe a smidgen that he is serious about this big turn around. But not just once. He’ll have to give lots of money for the rest of his life. What he did was unforgiveable. I’m sure this is a stunt too. But come on you got it – share it with the animals too. That won’t get you into heaven but God just may listen to your pleas.
Question: If he is ‘transformed’, couldn’t he independantly ‘educate” those impressionable minds without the need of being alligned by the HSUS?
He’s privey to many dog fighting ring contacts – wonder if he’s done anything to dissuade them? He’s a self-centered, reputationally-ravaged coward who’s attempting to reingratiate himself into the NFL and the public eye.
Transformed? Michael Vick has antisocial personality disorder, one of the most difficult mental illnesses to treat. It appears he has received no treatment. Does time in jail cure mental illness? This link graphically describes his actions. This man enjoyed torturing and killing dogs. I find that unforgiveable.
http://www.nathanwinograd.com/?p=1756
Michael Vick isn’t sorry for fighting and killing dogs. He’s only sorry he got caught. Anybody can see that this is just a publicity stunt for both Vick and HSUS. By using each other, they get what the want, it’s that simple. HSUS gets more money, and Vick gets more publicity. Sorry, I just can’t support either of them. I think HSUS made a HUGE mistake by supporting Vick. Even PeTA knew better than to do that. I do believe in giving people second chances, but Vick never apologized to the dogs or showed any remorse for what he did. That’s unforgivable.
Wow! Everyone has had lots to say! Not surprising given the subject! I also feel that Vick is not sorry for what he did, only that he got caught! I think he will only persue this “new humane side” as long as necessary to get what he wants….back in the NFL, and making money again!
Dog fighting is a disgusting act, and if he can convince some kids that it’s not the way to go, then that at least is a good thing. I don’t think the humane society or any other animal welfare group should have agreed to have anything to do with him, but I guess we will see what happens!
I too believe that people deserve second chances, but I also agree with another poster who said second chances have to be earned. He has done nothing to show that he deserves another chance. If we are all wrong and it turns out that he has changed, then thank the lord, but that is a mighty BIG if!
Don’t believe it for a minute. That despicable monster is only doing it for selfish reasons; to benefit himself. People like him don’t change. He should not be allowed around animals at all!
Vick did his time, now lets give him a chance to do some community service. In fact, it’s the least he could do. And I think he’ll be good at reaching out to kids who are still fighting dogs; he’s a good example of the consequences of dog fighting.
He should have come out with a statement against dog fighting when they broke up that ring a little while ago. Would have better to speak out against it when that happen than try and kiss up now. That would have been a great start!!!
Come on… attending an event after so many years of fighting those dogs. I wonder how the animals he abused would feel about seeing their abuser again.
It is a good thing that dogs live in the moment.. I am still very angry about the treatment of those poor dogs.
Perhaps he should sit down and watch the Dogtown show where the center had to care for all those frightened dogs.
I still would like to pull his teeth out! Have angry fighting dogs do to him what he has done to them.
He hasn’t showed any remorse, is on a partial reinstatement from the NFL and is looking to start his football career again. Thank God the Miami Dolphins told him NO…. the rest of the NFL should tell him NO as well.
BLAH… I spit on Michael VICK
I can’t believe for a second that Vick is sorry he only want to be a football player again. To bad the can’t tie a football to his rear end and let the dogs do to him what he allowed to be done to the dogs he used for his own entertainment!! Anyone who thinks it is ok to do the things he did should NEVER be free. People who mistreat animal should have to register like a child molester does. I hope he is never allowed to play with anyone, I agree with the person who wrote he should have to wath dogtown I really don’t think he would be moved in any way. I would love to be the one who could pull his teeth out one by one in the most painful way possible and then pour steak or something yummy for the dogs so they could eat him to the bone. love dogtown for the help that they do , what happened to the show BTW it is not shown now.(maybe just in our area) I miss the show!
I can’t believe for a second that Vick is sorry he only want to be a football player again. To bad the can’t tie a football to his rear end and let the dogs do to him what he allowed to be done to the dogs he used for his own entertainment!! Anyone who thinks it is ok to do the things he did should NEVER be free. People who mistreat animal should have to register like a child molester does. I hope he is never allowed to play with anyone, I agree with the person who wrote he should have to with dogtown I really don’t think he would be moved in any way. I would love to be the one who could pull his teeth out one by one in the most painful way possible and then pour steak or something yummy for the dogs so they could eat him to the bone. love dogtown for the help that they do , what happened to the show BTW it is not shown now.(maybe just in our area) I miss the show!
Though he is good at football, I would like to see Michael Vick dead. If he was murdered tomorrow, I’d have to say that a grin would cross my face.
@ Carie-
Thank you for posting the Sean Moore link. I think it’s wonderful that the HSUS has a program like ADA involving people like Sean Moore.
However, there is a HUGE difference between Sean Moore and Michael Vick: Sean Moore had nothing to gain by quitting dog-fighting and becoming an advocate against it, whereas Michael Vick has everything to (re)gain.
If the HSUS would like to benefit from a relationship with Mr. Vick, perhaps they could put him to use cleaning cages at shelters around the country, especially those in inner-cities.
I also doubt his intentions. The key will be to see what he does AFTER he is playing in the NFL again. If after he is with a team he still does events to help stop dog fighting AND donates a decent amount of money annually to end dog fighting, then maybe I’ll consider giving him a second chance. I just have a hard time believing that he’s reformed after supporting dog fighting for so many years. He’s just mad he got caught.
Give me a break! If he had not been caught, he would still have his dogfighting ring. How come criminals never “see the light” until they are caught. If you believe him, I’ve got a bridge I’d like to sell you.
I am personally involved with the HSUS End Dog Fighting program. The program is great, the trainers are great, and the volunteers are great. However the decision made by Wayne Pacelle to support Michael Vick is not shared with other HSUS employee’s involved with this program. The decision was made to help Mr. Pacelle get the attention he feels he deserves because he is a selfish and greedy man. Anybody who is reading this, is close to the Chicago area, and wants to protest the decision Mr. Pacelle made against the recommendation of others involved please come and protest the following event where Michael Vick will speak.
Wednesday, August 12th at 4:00pm
Liberation Christian Center
6810 S. Ashland Ave.
Englewood, IL
The decision goes against everything the class is about and jeapordized the good work already done. Please show up andlet Mr. Pacelle know that his selfish and greeddy decision will not be tolerated. Thanks for the help.
Lucinda
Any man who does what he did has no soul, period.