Michael Vick confirms he is again a dog owner
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Michael Vick is a dog owner again.
Vick, who served 18 months in federal prison on dogfighting charges, confirmed Thursday that his family has a dog. The Philadelphia Eagles' four-time Pro Bowl quarterback refused to discuss the topic just a day earlier.
"I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family's decision to care for a pet," Vick said in a statement. "As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals. I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God's creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family."
Since his release from prison in 2009, Vick has worked with The Humane Society of the United States to speak out against animal cruelty. He's made appearances at schools and spoken to students about the dangers of being involved in dogfighting. Vick says that commitment will continue.
"This is an opportunity to break the cycle," Vick said. "To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change."
The Humane Society declined to comment.
Vick was banned from owning a dog until completing his probation period. When he first stated his desire to own one, it touched off a firestorm. Some animal rights activists were outraged along with fans who thought the star player should never be allowed to have a dog.
"I'm not a psychopath. I'm not crazy. I'm a human being," Vick once told The Associated Press about wanting to own a dog. "What happened in my past and what I did in the culture I grew up in doesn't shape and mold me as the person I am now."
Vick, who served 18 months in federal prison on dogfighting charges, confirmed Thursday that his family has a dog. The Philadelphia Eagles' four-time Pro Bowl quarterback refused to discuss the topic just a day earlier.
"I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family's decision to care for a pet," Vick said in a statement. "As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals. I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God's creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family."
Since his release from prison in 2009, Vick has worked with The Humane Society of the United States to speak out against animal cruelty. He's made appearances at schools and spoken to students about the dangers of being involved in dogfighting. Vick says that commitment will continue.
"This is an opportunity to break the cycle," Vick said. "To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change."
The Humane Society declined to comment.
Vick was banned from owning a dog until completing his probation period. When he first stated his desire to own one, it touched off a firestorm. Some animal rights activists were outraged along with fans who thought the star player should never be allowed to have a dog.
"I'm not a psychopath. I'm not crazy. I'm a human being," Vick once told The Associated Press about wanting to own a dog. "What happened in my past and what I did in the culture I grew up in doesn't shape and mold me as the person I am now."
If you've changed so much, how about giving up the names of ALL the dog fighters you know??? You know perfectly well that the dog fighting still continues, you know perfectly well many of the people that are involved, you know perfectly well the suffering that is still going on. You also know perfectly well that you could help but you won't because you haven't changed one bit. You're not sorry for what you did, you're just sorry you were caught!!! And quite personally, I think you're *still* involved in dog fighting & are just hiding it better now.
I just love all these "Holier than now" people crying that Vick is horrible, and that he should NEVER be allowed to own a dog... FIrst of all....what he did was terrible, and unfortunately it's not something that was limited to just HIM. Breeding dogs and fighting them for sport and gambling has been going on for a LONG time, not just in this country, but elsewhere. Actually, you can say that his getting caught was a good thing, because it put a new spotlight on something that many knew nothing about....but I digress.... Vick grew up in a household where he didn't know better...where dog fighting and poor treatment of them was just "The way".... He was caught, charged and found guilty. He lost a mulitmillion dollar contract and sponsorships, he lost the respect of many AND served time in jail. But our Criminal system isn't just designed to punish (as most of you would prefer to keep it)...It is also designed to rehabilitate. That's why as part of his sentence he was required to work with the Humane Society and speak out against animal cruelty. Also part of the sentence was that he could not own a dog until his probabtion period has passed. Well folks, his probation has passed AND he has fullfilled his commitment to the Humane Society. Not only that, but he even continues to speak out against animal cruelty BEYOND his Judicial requirement.
Contrary to wnat most of you believe, People DO learn from their mistakes. They DO grow up and can make amends for those mistakes. It's a shame that so many people here are only willing to see the bad in people and don't understand what empathy is.
Hey folks.....don't like what Vick did in the past? try going to Russia, and the UK where dog fighting is HUGE sport....or go to Asia....where dogs find their way onto the menu. No, you go on holding your grudge against Vick.....(meh)
I was not happy to hear about what he did...and was sickened by it.....But he's paid his dues (In spades, I might add) I applaud him for moving past that. For being the better man. He has grown up, and he is proving that to his children (who, by the way, should not be required to suffer because of thier fathers sins)
HE has proved to ME and many others that he is a better person than ALL of you who chose to be so closeminded and judgemental.
Maybe you should take your cause to the courthouse, and ask WHY it is....That someone can be found guilty of manslaughter after getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while intoxicated and killing somone.....then serve thier time and probation, only to be allowed to get a drivers license again??
Anyway, I've said my peace.....I'm saddened to see that their are so many people only willing to throw stones rather than to offer a open palm.Â
What breed of dog? I missed that in the article. Hopefully, it is Yorkshire Terrier or Pomeranian.
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@Saltire And how does that matter in ANY way?
 @Haslips  @Saltire A pitbull might be a temptation to return to his old ways.
@Saltire Do you honestly believe thats all it takes? Sad.
what a dog
I'm not buying a word of what he's trying to convince us of. After what he did to his animals? Really??? He's now for the humane treatment of animals??? Right.Â
@Bewitchin1 Why yes, yes he is....and he's sharing that belief with his children....something that his father did not share with him.... He's moved past the naysayers like yourself who only see the bad in people and don't believe anyone can learn from their mistakes.
Michael's past actions sicken me. I cannot stand this man and as an 'individual' I do not believe he should ever own another pet.
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That said....I do agree with his statements:
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 "As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals. I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God's creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family."
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and:
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"This is an opportunity to break the cycle," Vick said. "To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change."
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His kids deserve the opportunity to be different and to grow up in a different environment than Michael.
 @oh4FS Hear, hear.....well said!  He paid his debt to society!
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I agree.
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Let the children have the dog. They didn't do the horrible things their father did and could very well be good pet people for their whole lives.
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I will never root for Vick, I will never like him as a football fan, and he will always be on my poop list as a human being, but I will not let the sins of the father be the sins of the son.
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He has an opportunity now to be the better person and raise his children to be better than he is.
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But I will watch him. Trust but verify. That animal ends up with wounds, Vick will have some 'splaininâ to do.
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Please do not forget the brutal crimes against these dogs. He hung, burned, beat, and murdered dogs that would not fight. These are not just mistakes. This is the mentality of this man Michael Vick. This just dosen't go away. He is a mentally sick person, on the same page as OJ Simpson. Money and fame are no reason to give him a pup. If his kids want a dog than Micheal should be removed from the home. The mentality of the people that handed him a dog if highly questionable. Should never have happened . Get the dog back before something horrible happens.
@Lynn I'd like to respond to your post, but the hate that you spew out in your words tell me YOU are the one who has some mental issues. Logic with you clearly won't work.
He should never be able to own a dog again. Horrible!!!
 If he can prove his worth as a dog owner by setting the example of not following in the footsteps of his past, then he should be fully able to own one.
 @StevenRosenow My thoughts exactly. I'm not a huge fan of his and not just because of his animal abuse past. However, he did his time (although many seem to think it wasn't enough). He screwed up and, like anyone else, should get a second chance. If he screws up again, then make the punishment much much worse.
He should be limited to owning rescue dogs that have been trained to fight and be vicious, are totally unstable and unpredictable because of their ordeal, and are big enough to do some serious damage. He can use all his loving bonds to teach that animal to trust him.
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I am sure he is all rehabbed, and is now the second coming of Dr Doolittle, but Ron Mexico leaves a trail of abused people and dogs behind him. I just don't like the guy.
Lots of people behave badly because the culture in which they were raised considered those things to be OK. He was punished for those actions, and seems to have genuinely learned that what he did was wrong. I agree with him that his kids should learn to have a healthy relationship with pets. Good for him.
He should be limited to only owning a Pekingese or a Chihuahua