Michael Vick to work with Humane Society on its campaign against dogfighting

"It’s a happy day for him to be starting this part of the process," Larry Woodward, an attorney for Michael Vick, said of the disgraced football star's release from Leavenworth prison this morning.  Vick will return to his home in Hampton, Va., where he'll serve the remaining two months of his 23-month sentence for dogfighting.

His release today is not a surprise -- it's been expected for several months now, since it was announced that the halfway house he was initially slated to move into no longer had space.  One element of his release is surprising to many, however: He'll be working with the Humane Society of the United States on its anti-dogfighting campaign.  ESPN reports:

[Humane Society President and CEO Wayne Pacelle] said he was approached with the idea of working with the former star quarterback several months ago by Vick's representatives. After meeting with Vick at the federal prison camp, Pacelle said, he decided just within the past week that working with Vick was the right move for the society and its missions.

Specifics are to be determined, but Pacelle made it clear that the expectation on both sides is for Vick to contribute more to the cause than public service announcements. A source close to Vick said he has agreed to be more than a spokesman. Pacelle believes Vick can do the most good in the area the society believes is of greatest need -- urban outreach and prevention.

Is Vick, who not only financed a dogfighting ring but also reportedly "enjoyed placing family pets in the ring with fighting pit bulls and ... laughed as dogs ripped each other apart," really reformed?  Is his desire to help the Humane Society simply a public relations move designed to get him reinstated in the NFL?

Even Pacelle isn't sure.  "I sat with the man, but I still don’t know what’s in his heart," Pacelle wrote on his blog today.  "He told me he did terrible things to dogs. He said he grew up with dogfighting as a boy, and that he never sufficiently questioned it as he grew into manhood. ... He said this experience has been a trauma, and he’s changed forever. And he said he wants to show the American public that he is committed to helping combat this problem. He asked for an opportunity to help. I want to give him that opportunity."

Pacelle says the most potent weapon in combating dogfighting isn't law enforcement, but "interrupting the cycle of violence that leads kids down this dead-end path, one that's paved with animal misery."  Vick's story, Pacelle argues, is one that illustrates that point. 

Whether or not Vick's work with the Humane Society helps him repair his image, according to NPR, depends on how sincere he appears:

"If it's not perceived as heartfelt, people are going to say, 'Michael Vick is just doing this to get back in the good graces of the NFL,' " [Marc Ippolito of Burns Entertainment] says. "For some people, it's going to take a year to believe (Vick is) sincere; for others, it could take 10 years."

Vick's pledge to help the Humane Society ... is a good start, he says.

"He can't overdo it, and it can't seem rehearsed," says Glenn Selig, who specializes in crisis management public relations at The Publicity Agency. Selig, whose high-profile clients include the disgraced former governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, warns that "people will be parsing his every word and wonder if he is just doing what he has to do to get back in the game." 

For its part, PETA is skeptical of Vick's apparent change of heart.  The group was in talks with his representatives last year, with the idea of a partnership similar to the one he's since forged with the Humane Society.  But PETA later rescinded its offer.  "What we don't believe at this point is that there is a contrite, remorseful Michael Vick," staffer Dan Shannon told Advertising Age when confusion arose on the subject.  PETA called on the NFL to administer a brain scan and comprehensive psychiatric exam to the troubled star before considering reinstatement; that apparently did not happen. 

Writing today about Vick's release, PETA blogger Shawna Flavell rehashes the psychiatric exam idea, saying that such a test is necessary to determine if he will reoffend.  Flavell adds that a person who "trained dogs to torture and kill one another for sport, who drowned and hanged dogs who wouldn't fight, and who laughed while watching his own family dogs fight for their lives as they were maimed and finally killed does not deserve to be rewarded with a multimillion-dollar contract or be given the privilege to serve as a role model to millions of children. PETA will not take anything off the table when it comes to any team or league that may sign Michael Vick."

Arthur Blank, who owns Vick's former team, the Atlanta Falcons, was softer in his response to the remorse question.  "I believe in second chances. I believe in redemption," he told the Associated Press. "But the commissioner needs to satisfy himself that Michael's not only going through his own journey but is prepared to make other decisions that he's made in the past — both personally and who he associates himself with is a very big part of that."

On giving Vick the benefit of the doubt, Pacelle says that his group can only win as a result of this indisputably unorthodox partnership. "If he demonstrates a fleeting or superficial interest, then it will be his own failing, not ours," he writes. "Our campaign will march forward regardless."

RELATED:
Michael Vick to be released from prison this week
Michael Vick could serve end of his sentence at home
Is Michael Vick in talks to be PETA's spokesman? The group says no

--Lindsay Barnett

Video: Associated Press

Comments

[J]

Vick is a human being, which in my opinion is more valuable than every single dog on the planet... what he did was morally wrong... but they are dogs not human lives... get over it... PETA lives in a world of double standards, they will argue about reabilating a dog who has attacked a person yet at the same time won't give the same compassion to a human being... PETA is bunch of nut cases...

[Grad]

I agreed that Michael should have gone to jail.

I agree with him doing the Humane Society campaign (excellent idea by the way, I really admire Pacelle's attitude. No comment on PETA).

And finally, if the commissioner okays it and a team offers him a contract, then I'm all for it - let the man live. I do, however, suggest adding a contract clause that stipulates that any future probation violation or animal cruelty charge will result in an immediate loss of contract and permanent banning. I think the NFL needs to add that to ALL contracts because they've turned a blind eye to some really heinous misdeeds (example - Pacman Jones, who still hasn't learned his lesson).

And this quote is the damn truth right here:
"Pacelle says the most potent weapon in combating dogfighting isn't law enforcement, but 'interrupting the cycle of violence that leads kids down this dead-end path, one that's paved with animal misery.' Vick's story, Pacelle argues, is one that illustrates that point."

[Dan]

All he's looking for is a way to get back into the NFL and a multi-million dollar contract. He should offer to give a big fat donation to animal rescue groups. What a loser!

[Tawny]

Where is it written someone should get a second chance?

Vick was lucky to get a first chance in the NFL. He blew it. Badly.

There are plenty of football players out there to take Vick's place---someone already has.

Vick wasn't God's Gift to football. Football will go on without him just fine. No loss.

[Brittney]

Dogs are shown to have the mental capasity of a child around the age of 3. So here is the question that I pose. IF Michael Vick had strangles, hung, drown or abused a 3 yr old child in any what would the commision do?

Now please do not attack me about how dogs do not have the same value as a child. I am fully aware of that BUT just think of their mental capsities and their abilites to defend themselves. Is this fair?

In my humble, not of value opinion, Michael Vick does not deserve a second chance. He did not even deserve the first chance. As far as this being a move to get back in good- ofcourse it is! Any one can see that!

[Rochelle]

J it's people like you that let animal abuse continue without so much as batting an eyelid towards it. So you think that the worst person in the world, who has done the most abhorrent, cruel and sadistic acts on an animal that can barely defend itself is better than the animal?

Your post is a sick joke.

[JT]

I love animals and pets as much as the next person. But what really gets to me is the fact that some of these people seem to value animal life more than human life. I work with a local women's shelter and see a lot of horrible things. I've never once seen such an outpouring of venom directed toward a man who microwaved his infant or a woman who abused her own child. We don't go to bat so vehemently for human rights and that's a very sad thing. I made this comment elsewhere and someone said, well, the animals can't speak for themselves. You're telling me the infant or abused child can? Even non-abused children aren't safe from these so-called well-meaning groups. My daughter was on an educational site she uses at school, she clicked on a link to what she thought was a game. It was a gory little interactive piece with blood, butcher knives and an evil cartoon called "Your mother kills animals". My 5 year old is still having nightmares from it.

I'm sorry for the dogs here but this is just ridiculous. What of forgiveness all you good people? Or is that a selective thing?

[cynthia jaCKSON]

People care more about animals than they care about human being so what dogs were killed we eat dead amimals everyday big deal. We have people killing people who get less time in jail, he did his time let the man live his life. we forgive people who kill other people everyday why not forgive him. Some dogs died so what.

[Reader]

So "J," Osama bin Laden, as a human being, is more valuable than any dog? Hitler? Mussolini?

Your moral structure is genuinely frightening, suggesting as it does that nothing any human does to any animal counts. Fortunately your view is not reflected in the views of the majority of people in this society; we have basic humane standards encoded into law to protect animals, thank God -- to protect them clearly from people like you,

I agree Michael Vick is doing this to get back in the NFL. I see why Wayne Pacelle made the calculation that allying the Humane Society of the U.S. with Vick, but I think he's making a huge mistake. This isn't a guy who got caught up in a dogfighting ring. This is a guy who bought property and created a business with the express intent of killing dogs. This is a guy who laughed at the pain, fear and death of living creatures. This is a guy who, with his friends, dreamed up fun new ways to kill dogs.

This is also a criminal who, as far as I can see, got no counseling, and who has never admitted the FULL EXTENT of his crimes. Admitting to fighting dogs and calling it "immature acts" is the opposite of facing up to what he did.

Vick is a sociopath. He has no empathy. He didn't care when he killed and terrorized those dogs and he doesn't care now. His lawyers approached HSUS because Vick needs some cover in his quest to get back in the NFL. Wayne Pacelle made a bargain with the devil and it's going to backfire. Kids aren't stupid. They're going to take one look at Vick and KNOW he's not sorry, that he doesn't think there's one thing wrong with killing dogs except getting caught. Pacelle is according Vick the stature of a role model when he should have spurned his overtures and simply shown what Vick DID. He killed dogs. He thought it was funny to put family pet dogs in with powerful, dog-aggressive fighting dogs, and watch them get ripped apart. Imagine the mind that finds that funny.

That kind of person doesn't change. A thief can change. A dishonest person can see the light. But you can't MAKE someone into a person who enjoys others' pain and death. And you can't change a sociopathic sadist into a nice, sensitive person who cares about animals. It's completely antithetical to their inherent nature. All you can do is make it difficult for them to re-offend.

Wayne Pacelle is normally a really smart guy. But he made a major miscalculation here. Vick cannot be made into a hero -- because nature made him a monster, just like a Dahmer or a Bundy, who also killed animals.

[Daryl]

What Mike did was unjust and cruel. He will have to live with the decIsions he made for the rest of his life. However, in the court of law the guy was sentenced, and has served his time. So let the man try a rebuild his life/character an move on.

[Beached Atbeach]

Before all of this came down I ran into this dude in a convenience store after Atlanta fell. Asked him what he was going to do in the off-season and his response was, "Gonna go to school to become a vet-tech!" Looking back at the wry smile on his face when he said that I now think his intention was to become the king of the whole of dogfighting society.

[Donna]

Absolutely Not he is as said before just trying to get back into the NFL he is a disgrace and if they let him back in the NFL I will no longer support professional football.

[Scott J.Burrell]

I know mob guys that love their doggies more than
they love Michael Vick.
He is a sick and Depraved man
Why does CNN or ESPn even bring up his name?
Lets all do ourselves a favor
a bury this issue.
What kind of example is this for kids.
It makes me ashamed to be an American
Shame on You Vick
and don;t come to Nevada.

[MIKE WILEY]

iM TRUELY A DOG LOVER I HAVE TWO,i FEEL THAT PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES AND HIS CHILHHOOD HAS ALOT TO WITH IT AND PEOPLE TODAY ARE UNFORGIVING,ALOT OF PEOPLE THAT WANT TO HANG HIM HAVE TAKEN THE FAMILY TO BULL FIGHTS AND TOOK PICTURES SAY ITS NOT THE SAMETHING.HE IS WILLING TO MAKE THINGS RITE. lLET THE MAN GET ON WITH HIS LIFE,LIFE IS A LEARNING TREE. mike

[Aaron]

PETA is a borderline terrorist organization. They have no business requesting a pyschiatric exam that most PETA members would fail.

Dog fighting is very wrong, and I'm sure prison was a strong wake up call to Vick. It should be up to the NFL and it's franchises to make the decision of giving Vick another chance.

[crunchbird56]

I truly don't feel he has time to change. Before the arrest he was flipping off fans, what a role model for our kids! I say church, working w/ Humane Society, and other community service for a year to see if he's TRULY REMORSEFUL. He should be given a second chance, but only after he proves he really deserves one. Personally, what he did will take me a long time to forgive............if ever!

[Tom Roe]

I cannot believe that Vick has really turned around and now feels remorseful. I really think he's remorseful that he got caught and went to prison but to say all that has changed is a stretch. He has not adequately "paid his debt". He should never be allowed to return to the football field. There are too many fine and talented young and deserving young men ready and willing to play the game to ever allow such a scumbag back onto the field. I will promise. I will never ever watch a football game or a commercial or anything else that he is appearing in. He had real potential but he blew it!

[Susan]

Disgusting- Dogs are valuable lives contrary to the previous bloggers belifs and the dispicable Vick.

Most people that are that cruel to animals end up being serial killers. Vick is not "reformed", he should have to be in counselling and never allowed a prominient position especially ones where he is allowed around children. He does need continuing psychiatric help.

Shame on the NFL and Goodell if they allow him in and any team that takes him is insane.

[Leigh]

To hell with everyone that says he should not have a second chance! WTF is up with everyone on their high horses? How is it that this man or any man for that matter who fights dogs gets jail time, his name smeared and his career over yet, those pedifiles who molest and rape children get slaps on the wrist?! Justice for who????? He committed a crime. Okay, whatever. There are worse things out there like exploited children and hungry families to spend time and energy one rather than that of a man who fights dogs! Get a life!!

[hrob27]

PETA is cutting off its nose to spite its own face. Regardless of the reasons why Vick now wants to be a spokesman against animal cruelty, there is an extraordinary opportunity to put this issue on the map and any group that claims to be for the better treatment of animals should leave no stone unturned.

All of the protests in the world couldn't bring as much attention to this problem as has this one incident. Animals are abused and killed everyday, but nobody notices because the perpetrators are everyday people. But when a star quarterback gets caught, all heads turn to look. Any publicity is good publicity.

[Robert]

While I wonder about Vick's sincerity, I commend Pacelle and the Humane Society for being open to his participation in their campaign against dog fighting. Perhaps Vick, if not really sincere at this time, will grow more aware of the cruelty of dog fighting and its impact on both animals and the people who are associated with it as he works with HSUS. I was, and still am, appalled by Vick and his associates, but I think that he can be a powerful and influential voice against animal cruelty, and I would like to see that happen. Let's give him a chance.

[cecilia]

Vick should never be around animals for as long as he lives. He has a very sick mind to have done the things that he did and even this joint venture with the humane society reflects that he just has no sense about his heinous acts. He has ulterior motives and this act of working with the humane society is just an empty gesture for the public. He is still the same person who tortured and killed animals for F-U-N and SICK ENJOYMENT!

[Sara Arbogast]

I believe that Michael Vick is ONLY wanting to do this as a ploy to get back to football. In my opinion, any person who is capable of this kind of horrendous brutality against God's vulnerable creatures (yes, they were put on our earth for a reason) has an evil streak/major character flaw. We should be the protector of all animals. Anyone with any sensitivity, tender heart could not and would not engage in or allow this kind of behavior. Not only is this indicative of Vick's seriously flawed personality, but one would have to question how and to whom his brutality/evilness is "carried over" to people -- you know, it's been proven that people generally start abusing animals initially then on to people. I'd like to NEVER hear his name again, shame on any football league that would ever allow him to represent them. This is a no brainer. Goodbye to Vick forever!!!

[Cindy]

Most PETA members should undergo a brain scan & psychiatric exam, especially the higher ups. It's highly unlikely they would pass. PETA is a joke and it's too bad more people don't know about their philosophy.
I don't think Vick is remorseful, I don't believe he thinks that what he did was wrong. I believe in redemption but in Vicks case I don't believe he's a changed man.
As far as comparing humans to animals in regards to the outrage. I believe that most people believe that human life is more valuable than that of an animal, however, torturing & killing an animal as sport is sick. It's wrong, any way you look at it.
I think the outrage should be the pedestal that we put athletes up on, the money they receive for playing and for endorsements is unbelievable. These people are role models to our children and the message they send can be what changes a young life for good or bad.
Vick did his time, the NFL doesn't owe him anything however they do owe the public. Their message should be loud and clear...we don't condone abuse of any kind, this is what happens when you screw up...you're out... PERMANENTLY!

[Tracey]

Michael Vick is not a good enough person to be in the presence of any animal- he himself who acted with animal like behaviors. It is human instinct to protect not to kill, that is animal instinct, it tells me the dogs he torchered were more humane then he is- I HOPE THE NFL NEVER GIVES HIM ANOTHER CHANCE, AS HE GAVE THOSE INNOCENT DOGS NO CHANCE!!

[blacksunshine84]

Michael Vick is doing this for one reason only...He wants a football contract!

[Geraldine Clarke]

This is too ironic for words! Within hours of Vick being arrested, HSUS put out a huge fund-raising campaign to "Save Vick's dogs". When it was pointed out equally publicly that the dogs were being held as evidence and HSUS had no jurisdiction and no way to "save" them, HSUS changed the campaign but I'm sure they raked in big bucks exploiting the situation. But they didn't stop there; they then demanded that all the dogs be killed. Fortunately, after a lot of legal wrangling, Best Friends and others got custody of the dogs. All but one was successfully rehabbed and a couple have even become therapy dogs.

So now we have a situation with two self-serving entities, a man who went to prison for killing dogs and an organization who made money off of it and then tried to get the rest of the dogs killed, working together for their own selfish reasons. Too disgusting!

HSUS does NOT save animals. They operate NO animal shelters and use their $120 million a year in promoting "animal rights" legislation like laws to ban pit bulls. Don't donate to HSUS. Send your money to your local shelter which does save animals.

[Windy]

Vick and his ilk are not and never will be worthy of public redemption.

These so-called 'men' did not humanely euthanize dogs that did not make the cut for their heinous operation. We all remember the reports of Vick personally hanging dogs by their necks, slamming their skulls into the concrete until they convulsed and died and throwing family pets into the pit to train his fighters to kill. But what about this report, taken from a blog post by Donna, co-founder of BADRAP (www.badrap.org)?

"Jumper cables were clipped onto the ears of underperforming dogs, then, just like with a car, the cables were connected to the terminals of car batteries before lifting and tossing the shamed dogs into the water. Most of Vick's dogs were small - 40lbs or so - so tossing them in would've been fast and easy work for thick athlete arms. We don't know how many suffered this premeditated murder, but the damage to the pool walls tells a story. It seems that while they were scrambling to escape, they scratched and clawed at the pool liner and bit at the dented aluminum sides like a hungry dog on a tin can."

They actually sat around and thought up indescribably cruel methods of torture and agonizing death for their own pleasure and entertainment. Who watches while another living thing screams, bleeds, shatters, and slowly dies under his own hand? I'll tell you who- Vlad the Impaler, Josef Mengele, Saddam Hussein... people whom have been granted the title, "monster" by humanity and will forever be hated and reviled. Let us not forget this as we struggle with 'forgiveness' of Vick and his cronies who clipped jumper cables to dogs' ears and slammed their broken bodies into the concrete.

Is it possible that Vick was just disadvantaged and didn't know any better than to maim and torture living creatures under his care? I don't believe it! What about the thousands of disadvantaged youth who see dogfighting and DON'T get involved because they are driven by an internal compass that tells them torturing and killing is wrong? I don't think evil can be expunged from someone so twisted at their core that they could count their money and cheer as they watched their 'best dogs' rip the flesh from each others' bones and condemn the rest to violent and agonizing deaths at their own hands.

Vick may have served his time for racketeering, but he plead "Not guilty." for the charges of animal cruelty. His so-called 'remorse' for his actions after the fact were well-rehearsed, as evidenced by a scrap of paper left behind at the podium where he sang his sorry song. This whole collaborative effort with the HSUS was not his idea- it was a clever PR move staged by his agents and handlers to help buy him public sympathy and help make him appear more deserving of re-instatement to the NFL- his real motive behind all this.

Has he ever once asked after his former dogs, the ones who survived his prison camp and training center and are being cared for people with real compassion and altruism? Did he ever once make a statement during his incarceration indicating true understanding of the crimes of morality he committed against those innocent creatures under his care?

Is he a "powerful and persuasive" entity who can sway at-risk youth and thousands of rabid football fans to buy into his latest rhetoric? Sure. Most sociopaths are disarmingly convincing when they want something; it's part of the clinical definition. As a nurse, I used to work with severely disturbed youth in a psychiatric institution, many of whom had tortured and killed animals. I remember looking into the dull and soulless eyes of one boy who had gouged the eyes out of every one of a litter of kittens and he described how they squished and popped like little grapes between his fingers. When I asked him why he did that, he said he simply LIKED watching the blinded kittens stagger about in pain and terror, crying out for their mother. That's when I knew evil existed for its own sake.

Picking up Vick is like making a deal with the devil. He'll be a messenger alright, but the message will be, "Orchestrating and personally conducting the maiming and killing of countless dogs for pleasure and profit while lying, bold-faced, about it for six years is OK, as long as you convince enough saps you're a victim of your past and were too weak to make moral decisions on your own. Oh, and it helps if you have a good PR machine and lots of photo ops with the doggie crusaders."

So long, HSUS- I won't be donating any of my hard earned money to an organization that will be spending it on Vick's image rehabilitation.

"Since compassion for animals is so intimately associated with goodness of character, it may be confidently asserted that whoever is cruel to animals cannot be a good man." ~
Arthur Schopenhauer, The Basis of Morality

[Alison]

If Vick is really remorseful, he will work to help animals whether he plays football or not.

I am tired of the lame argument that people who care about animals don't care about people. I bet most who use this argument don't go out and volunteer on behalf of people either. There are many issues out there. What is important is that you pick one that touches you and work to solve it. Stop bashing other issues.

There are laws set up to deal with someone who kills a person, however, the laws that deal with animal killers are weak or non-existant. That's why people speak up for animals. Chances are the person who cruelly mistreats animals has no respect for life of any sort and will end up killing people too.

[Mir]

Animals don't have a choice, people do. The question to ask is what kind of human being can be cruel to an animal? I suggest that kind of person has low self-esteem or other ego malfunctions. Perhaps they think they are powerful as they must be failures in life in general - next step serial killing. Normal people don't condone violence on animals or children, or people. Abnormal people place values on beings and thus have no problem condoning violence onto other living beings.

Unfortunately there are still too many people who have the intellectual capacity of a rock as is evidenced on this site. But then again the vast majority of anti-animal people can barely read anything above the 6th grade level. Never mind have any abilities to discuss anything of value. But they sure know their guns and meats and football teams and have their religion.

Fighting dogs, exploiting animals for trade, food or science is morally bankrupt and devoid of sanity. Long gone are the days of doing the right thing.

The great thing about life however is that we all die, even the cruel and stupid. Hopefully the Grim Reaper will strike them down sooner though to save even just one animal or one child from man's cruelty.

[susan]

I feel that Michael Vick should never be able to play Football, or be involved in anything that may be seen by childen. NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Nett]

I am 60+, white, female, have 4 dogs and 4 cats and I forgive Mr. Vick and hope that he has had a geniune change of heart. If he has and can influence young people to overcome cultural ignorance he will redeem himself.

[laura]

The only reason Michael Vick says he is sorry and he can't believe he did that is because he got caught. If he was not caught he would still be dog fighting now.

[bezo]

Of course Vick is not sorry in his heart! He obviously got excited seeing dogs torn apart, titillated by their blood and mutilated flesh. Indeed Vick had to train the poor beasts to be vicious and mean! Vick is ignorant, an uneducated, lowly man. He cannot be rehabilitated any more than a pedophile can be. He cannot be re-programmed. Seeking pleasure from the torture of animals is embedded in one's very DNA...and BTW, animal abuse is often a precursor to child abuse behaviors. Vick is a sicko and the Humane Society has made a very very bad, alienating choice in elevating this creep to any kind of role as spokesperson or advocate. Shame on the HS...and shame on the NFL! Vick is a mentally ill criminal and should be treated accordingly by a society who values moral conduct and the law.

[anonymoose]

Animals are better than people anyway

[ianam]

"But what about this report, taken from a blog post by Donna, co-founder of BADRAP (www.badrap.org)? "

So because something is posted at badrap, it must be true? This claim has spread around, now being posted on Facebook by Elayne Boosler (with her own elaboration), but as far as I can tell has never been corroborated or substantiated.

[ianam]

"but also reportedly"

Are you sure that you understand what that word means? Your source reports someone saying that someone else found out about a report that supposedly states something about Vick -- it does not itself report the claim.

It is interesting that PETA changed its position since you wrote this piece. Of course, there are now people saying that PETA sold out -- such is the way it goes with ideologues.