It’s Confirmed: Michael Vick Has a New Dog

Friday, October 12, 2012 - 5:45pm

It’s confirmed: Michael Vick has a new dog. To truly become a model of the type of behavior Vick wishes to teach his children—that animals deserve to be treated with compassion and respect—Vick should take the opportunity to “break the cycle” and “be an instrument of positive change” by expressing remorse about the dogs he brutalized and killed with his own hands. This is something that we’ve never heard him do publically.

Because of this, we have serious concerns about Vick’s ability to be a responsible pet owner. We can only hope that he will set the right example for his children by teaching them to foster humane habits and a lifelong bond with their family pet. 

What’s your opinion?

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty

Comments

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:48 — Kris (Visitor)
Really....You wouldnt let a child molester or murderer have another kid.. Animals are living breathing beings that deserve respect. This man showed no remorse of wrongdoing. He is a pig that the media elevated to stardom, and when this case came to light he got MORE fame....Where does it end?

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:00 — Dee S (Visitor)
Ditto to your remarks!!! It sickens me this man was given the "privilege" to get a dog! He DOES NOT deserve to own any pet!!! These famous athletes think they can do whatever they darn well please and that they are above the law. If I had my way, he would have gone to prison for what he did. Dog and cats just want our love and affection.....they give it back ten-fold! Vick makes me want to puke!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:48 — Tears for dogs (Visitor)
You dont alow a child malester to be care givers after doing time for that crime so No I do Not agree with the other posts. First ask yourself would you let your child have a sleepover at a house with a known pedafile after his release from Prison. . NO you would not!!! SoI think the answer is clear. How shallow that you think a Dog should not have that same kind of safety net in place.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:48 — Julie (Visitor)
I don't think he should ever be able to own a dog again! It should have ben a part of his sentance! A few months ago a woman was arrested for pulling her yokie behind her SUV ~ that was her way of "walking" it ~ it had missing toenails and it's pads were bleeding ~ she should never be allowed to own a dog again either! It makes me SICK!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:48 — Debra Berger (Visitor)
Can we use the word "Guardian" you give MV power to "own" the dog when using owner

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:50 — Pamela Boland (Visitor)
No one who gives an interview in which he tells of the great enjoyment he derived from killing his under-performing pitbulls is fit to own a dog. It's not about paying his debt to society; it's not about apologizing. It's about being emotionally unfit to develop the human-animal bond necessary for pet ownership. After hearing Michael Vick in his interview in which he talked about how much he enjoyed killing dogs, I worry about any animal that enters his home. What will be the punishment for house-training errors? What happens if the dog chews up Vick's "lucky glove"? Michael Vick shouldn't own a dog. Liking dogs and liking to kill dogs are two different things.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:51 — Breana (Visitor)
He should be shot. I have no respect for a person who can brutally murder a man. They should have locked him up for life.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:51 — Lisa (Visitor)
Unfortunately animals are considered "property". My thought is, Vick has been given opportunities that he does NOT deserve. The fact that he's still playing in the NFL sickens me, but for him to be allowed to have another dog is just outrageous! He tortured and murdered so many of them! If a convicted child molester wanted to adopt a child after he "did his time", would that be appropriate? Of course not! And yes, I realize most people don't consider dogs as important as children, but the fact is, they're both innocent beings that don't deserve being at the mercy of a violent abuser! If Vick wants to teach his kids about animals, maybe he should start by sending some of his money to animal shelters!!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:54 — Dee S (Visitor)
I agree with you TOTALLY! He should be sponsoring alot of these organizations that are doing miraculous deeds for these poor dog souls!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:52 — Dee S (Visitor)
I feel his sentence should have also included the stipulation of NO DOG OWNERSHIP by Vick! I don't care how much he says he has changed. I feel he has and always will have no kinship and affection for dogs, especially what he did. I have seen many, many gruesome pictures on facebook of maimed dogs being saved by various animal activist groups helping these dogs recover from their awful wounds. It is horrific the pain & suffering these animals had to endure because of people like Vick who received the thrill of watching these horrific dog fights. I fear for any dog he owns!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:53 — Katy And Bob Pe... (Visitor)
There should be a Megan's Law for animals and it should be called Vick's Law. I hope the people who helped him try to reform are aware of this as well as the local animal authorities.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:53 — Katia (Visitor)
This is ridiculous he should never be allow to have a dog. What he did with these poor defenseless creatures was atrocious. He was never sorry for what he did but he was only sorry because he got cut! I have to agreed with the comment above some debts are never paid!!!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:54 — Patty Kuhner (Visitor)
I am appalled at the fact Michael Vick apparently got a slap on the wrist and is allowed to own a poor innocent dog. The HSUS promoting him and said he changed was a poor judgment on their part. He is not sorry and is arrogant and should not own a dog after financing the blatent torture of those dogs.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:55 — Jaime (Visitor)
Just because he SHOULD be a role model and people wish they could like him as an athlete and turn their head away on the rest...what he did should not be forgiven and certainly not forgotten and ignored. Taking proper care of any animal is a value, not a quality that can punished into you.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:56 — Bert (Visitor)
Michael Vick, should never be allowed to own another dog. After what he did to those poor innocent dogs, tortured him, starved them, beat them, and when they did not perform killed them, all for fun and money.....Michael Vick own another dog....WHEN HELL FREEZES OVER!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:56 — Cheri (Visitor)
I don't believe you can change a heart that has no compassion or empathy for other living things. You can't build these things into someone's character. It's called personality disorder and it's a lifelong disorder.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:56 — Victoria (Visitor)
Michael Vick is still a coward and a murderer, even if he "paid his debt" to the human idea of "justice". Let's face it: TRUE justice would have been to throw him to a large pack of hungry wild dogs... No matter what any human law says, Vick is still guilty of barbarism and murder. He shouldn't even be allowed to be anywhere near children, in my opinion, but he has definitely lost the privilege to own animals FOREVER. That much, at least, is simple.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:56 — DP (Visitor)
We never knows what goes on behind closed doors , I pray that his current dog or dogs are safe. Teach his kids an example ?? Yes, good idea , go do family volunteer functions, volunteer at shelters , watch the poor dogs who come in abused and left for dead by people like himself, be hands on fixing and saving those poor dogs- that would mean more than a million apologies . Sorry Getting a puppy doesn't cut it !! And our legal system is a joke from the top down.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:57 — Stephanie (Visitor)
That's so wrong on so many levels. People need to use their brains. What's next allowing sex offenders to teach at schools?

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:57 — maz (Visitor)
We might as well let paedophiles adopt then. Can he legally own a dog?

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:58 — T (Visitor)
He is sorry...sorry that he got caught, otherwise he would still be doing it. If were up to me, he would still be in jail, and never allowed out. If were any of us who did what we did, we would still be in jail and never get another chance. He only got what he what b/c of his name. It also pisses me off that there are other football players out there just as good, if not BETTER, than he is, and they cannot get a chance to play in the NFL. The justice system in this country is a disgrace.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:59 — jglow (Visitor)
this low life scum bag lied about having a new dog-he doesn't deserve a dog-i hope the dog turns on him and bites his fool head off.the only reason that i watch his football games is for the hope that someone will break his neck on the field

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 21:59 — Eija Vogel (Visitor)
I would like to think he will atone for his past... That being said, I hope the dog bites him!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:00 — sarah (Visitor)
Paid his dues? It hasnt been years or something. He is a millionaire. Im sorry if he is told he cant have something like a pet. Take a look at the photos, listen to the transcripts of what he did. He got off easy. He is getting ready to launch a clothing line. Are any of us so fortunate? He is an awful human. We r supposed to protect the earth and its creatures. He continues to take and take.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:01 — Jessica (Visitor)
So happy those with money keep on getting the attention! It is all about the recognition and everyone keep feeding into it!! Next he will be praised for the amazing training or therapy dogs he creates.....very sad society keeps buying into it.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:01 — Sherry C. (Visitor)
Sure, he apologized and acted all remorseful. What else would he do if he wanted to try to save his public image? NO, in no way should he ever be allowed to have a pet of any kind! And I agree with the comment above regarding him taking his kids to volunteer and shelters and teaching them WHY he lost his ability to have pets. They need to understand the reality of how bad their dad was (and probably still is in his heart). And he also should--for the rest of his life--be required to donate...oh, say, at least 50% of his income to saving animals. Same thing goes for any other low-life who abuses, harms, or kills animals. He cannot earn the respect of decent people, people who are better in every way than he is, unless he devotes the remainder of his life to the health, well-being, and rescue of animals. Being a football player or any other public figure means nothing, has no value, and is completely pointless unless that notority is used to do good in the world. So far, he's blown it completely and is a worthless individual.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:02 — Barbara (Visitor)
I don't know how he got another dog considering his past with his fighting pit bulls. He ought to be kicked out of the NFL with no more being treated as a good football player. He sould go back to jail again, for more time then he got the last time. He also needs to go on probation after that. That isn't even enough for what he is doing and has done. Those poor animals, no wonder they have the reputation that they do. Is this his dog that he has now in the picture above. The dog should be taken from him and give him a good home with people who will love him. Honestly, these are all mild comments considering what he is doing and getting away with it at the same time. I would just put him back in jail with no trial, he was found guilty before, and just turned around and did again. These kind of people never learn their lesson.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:03 — margot (Visitor)
He should still be in prison

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:05 — John (Visitor)
As much as I despise Michael Vick, and believe me, I do, I hate to see animals without a loving home. If he can truly provide a proper, loving for a pet, then that is one less dog in the shelter. That said, I still enjoy watching him get his teeth knocked in every Sunday.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:05 — Dawn (Visitor)
The ASPCA having this concern is like the pot calling the kettle black. The ASPCA puts out heart string pulling commercials to get money from the public to help save pets. The APSCA is a kill shelter organization. Michael has admitted his wrongdoing and verbalizes he wants to do better. The world will be watching him. Who's watching the ASPCA to make sure they stop killing?

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:06 — Karen Fries (Visitor)
This man should NEVER EVER own any type of animal...People don't just change...This is soooo wrong...

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:07 — mary (Visitor)
Any person who could murder and brutalize ANYTHING, especially an animal that is known as man's best friend and wants nothing more to be loved and recognized by their master should not only NEVER be allowed to have any pets, but I also believe that a person like that shouldnt be allowed to be a "role model" for children, i.e, he shouldnt be allowed to play professional football. Debt to society repaid, but to the dogs? Some things can never be forgiven.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:07 — Newk (Visitor)
I find this to be a disturbing publicity stunt, attempting to put a brighter spin on his name because the dog torture conviction has not simply faded away as his handlers hoped it would. He got off with a very light sentence considering that he tortured and killed animals in extremely gruesome ways. No reasonable person could have mistaken these actions for anything other than torture. He knew he was torturing animals and he made the choice to do it. Is reform possible for an individual who has such a distorted personality that he or she is capable of torture? It seems unlikely to me. People like Vick are coached by marketing consultants to express remorse, and those lovely speeches are written for them by professional writers. In my opinion the NFL should have banned him for life. Instead, the message they sent to young people is that you can commit any kind of horrible crime and people will gloss over it as long as you're a football player.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:07 — Gail (Visitor)
http://aldf.org/article.php?id=1561 NFL quarterback Michael Vick, who served 18 months in prison after a felony conviction in 2007 for his widely publicized involvement in dogfighting—including shooting, electrocuting, and hanging dogs who did not perform well in the ring—recently stated publicly that he wants to own a dog and believes it would be good for his rehabilitation process. His federal sentence included a three-year ban on the possession of a dog. In this Q&A session, attorney Scott Heiser, director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Criminal Justice Program, answers some questions and provides some clarification relating to the current debate about whether Michael Vick should be allowed to own a pet dog. I find the telling sentence to be "he thinks it would be good for HIS rehabilitation process". I fail to believe he is giving any consideration to the dog's needs. However, time will tell I just hope SOMEONE is keeping a VERY close eye on him and the dog.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:08 — mary (Visitor)
This man should never own a dog. What happens if the dog chews something and vic gets mad.. we aren't there to see behind his door.. if he was a reg person, not a eagles player/ millionair ,he would never get a chance to own any animals.. also the talks with city kids HE HAD TO DO IT. It wasn't out of shame for what he did.. also all the eagles fan support him.. and any commets bad or neg about him they attack you.. well let's see one of those eagles fans give there dog to vic!! U know that would never happen.. because he plays for a football team its ok.. its a shame.. the law should be the same for famous people.. they get away with mmurder..literally! Its a shame.. god will judge him one day.. who ever let him own a dog again must got paid or something.. no animal lover in there right mind would never give him animals again.. I guess u just have to love the usa!!!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:08 — ashley winters (Visitor)
i do not believe he should have another dog the dog is not safe in his care! i get wanting to get a dog for your children but he messed that up by killing and fighting dogs he had his chance and messed it up!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:09 — Cynthia (Visitor)
I understand the fact he may want to teach his children to respect animals, and even though he did his time, still doesn't make up for the pain and suffering his dogs went through. I don't even think he should of been allowed to go back to the NFL.. There are other ways to teach children how to respect animals, let them volunteer at some local shelters..............

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:11 — kate (Visitor)
He lost the privelage and honor of having a dog when he started killing them. Second chance my behind, no one should be given a second chance when it comes to killing defenseless animals. There is no acceptable amount of time to serve.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:12 — Diana (Visitor)
Mr. Vick: I truly want to believe that you will love that dog as you love your own children. We all make mistakes and a lot of people do in fact turn themselves around. I do not hate you, I hate what you did. I hope for the best, for you, your children, your family and that special wonderful doggie. That dog will love you no matter what you do! Be well, Mr. Vick, be well.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:13 — Pat Warczynski (Visitor)
Really are you serious, Giving Michael Vick A dog is like spitting in any tortured Dogs face, they have obviously never seen a dog fight or seen how they take the runt of a litters, and throw them to the dogs to make them more vicious.. He was quilty from day one and should not be allowed to back in the NFL let alone get another dog. This turns my stomach!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:14 — j (Visitor)
The man is beyond a name- someone so brutal and inhumane doesn't deserve to walk the streets and how can he be allowed to own an animal again. That should have been stipulated. I believe in karma- I only hope I get to see him get his soon. And as many others have mentioned- how could he be allowed to play football- its as if his crimes are sanctioned and condoned.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:14 — Carol Krusey (Visitor)
I do not support that Vick has been allowed to get another dog. He has shown no remorse for anything that he did except that he got caught. He has never inquired about where the dogs who survived his horrible abuse ended up, never checked on them to see if they have been able to overcome the trauma of the abuse, never paid a dime towards their care. His only contact with Best Friends was via his attorney who wanted to use it as a publicity stunt. If he CARED and was truly remorseful he would have showed up at Best Friends alone without any entourage and spent time paying for his acts by caring for the dogs including his former ones who now reside at Best Friends. As for serving his time? He served time for the dog fighting and for transporting dogs over state lines to be used in dog fighting. He never served one minute for abusing or killing the dogs. NOT A DAY! I will never believe that he has "changed". How can such an evil soul that could turn a deaf ear to the screams that those dogs had to have uttered while being electrocuted, hung, drowned, slammed to the ground, etc. I know when one of my dogs breaks a nail, hits their leg jumping off the furniture, etc and I hear their cry it goes right into the pit of my stomach and my soul. Vick has long said that he didn't "know better". How can you not know that torturing any living being is wrong??? Were his parents that sick too?? The very nature of the game of football is violence and this is what Vick has learned from the time he was born. 18 months of how ever long he actually was in jail won't erase the years of evil that has been instilled in him. For those who say that he deserves a second chance.......................the dogs he murdered didn't get a second chance did they? Yes there were dogs who survived and have been adopted out but they will always have that trauma in their minds and will always be dogs that are "damaged". What damage did Vick suffer??

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:16 — Crystal (Visitor)
It was my understanding that part of his punishment was to never own an animal, especially a dog, again. I do not think he should be allowed to own a dog, especially after what he did in the past. It is not possible to monitor him 24/7 to make sure he doesn't do the exact same thing again. It's not fair to an animal to put them at risk like this. Anyone who can witness animals tearing each other apart and feel nothing doesn't have the heart needed to properly raise care for an animal.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:17 — Michelle (Visitor)
Second chance!? I don't care how sorry he is or if he really has changed, maybe he has. Bottom line the dogs he tortured and killed will never get a second chance so neither should he. There are just some mistakes you can be sorry for your whole life, but should never get a second chance. Your only choice becomes to try to make sure it doesn't happen to anything/anyone else.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:17 — Denise (Visitor)
Some people should never procreate. Others should never have pets. I do not see where Vick has shown any remorse for what he did. I do not see where he has apologized for brutalizing and torturing innocent animals who depended on him. If anything he was only sorry he got caught. Vick never should be allowed to own another animal for the rest of his life. He should have to explain to his children the reason that unlike their friends, they cannot have a pet because their daddy was and is a scumbag who lacks to compassion to care about anybody but himself.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:17 — Kim Brown (Visitor)
Michael Vick should not be allowed to own a dog. There are some crimes after which a second chance is not an option.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:21 — Sarah (Visitor)
seriously, i can't believe he is aloaud to care for any animal. What he did is so unexcusable, i can't imagine what those dogs went through. You don't give kids to a person who is known for abusing children, why should animal abusers be different. Vick should never be able to care for animals.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:23 — carol (Visitor)
Well........I wouldnt trust him with any animal. He says he sorry about it but no. Hes sorry he got caught. They need to do a welfare check on this dog at least once a week. Oh and i am diehard Eagles fan but i dont agree with this.

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:25 — Sydney (Visitor)
The innocent dogs that were brutally killed and used for intertainment and money have no second chance. Vick wouldn't show this facade of being "sorry" if he wasn't caught. How can you say Vick paid his debt to society? What about the innocent lives of those dogs. Can you put a price on their lives!

Fri, 10/12/2012 - 22:26 — Kelly (Visitor)
Now what happens if this dog does something that would upset Michael Vick such as having bathroom accident in the house, do we have to worry about any harm coming towards this dog? Mr Vick admitted to throwing a dog against the cemented floor killing the dog cause the dog lost a fight. Or how about him saying that he hung a dog from a tree? He shouldn't have gotten a dog or even being accepted back in the NFL. He should be treated the way he treated those helpless dogs, and suffer like they did.

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