Eagles Sign Animal Torturer Michael Vick: Take Action
Forgive me for deviating from cat-related news today, but the topic transcends species and I need your help in communicating to the Philadelphia Eagles that animal cruelty is NOT OKAY.
Yesterday, the Philiadelphia Eagles signed sociopath animal torturer Michael Vick to a one-year, $1.6 million deal with a one year option. Here are the details as reported by AP:
PHILADELPHIA – A remorseful Michael Vick wants a second chance and vowed to crusade for animal rights with the Philadelphia Eagles — and knows he won’t be easily forgiven by fans.
“I know I’ve done some terrible things, made a horrible mistake. Now I want to be part of the solution and not the problem,” Vick said Friday, referring to his conviction for his role in running a dogfighting ring.
Vick was introduced by the Eagles a day after signing a one-year deal for $1.6 million with a team option for a second year for $5.2 million. None of the money is guaranteed, so the Eagles face no financial risk if Vick does not make the team.
As upset as I was that the NFL had reinstated Vick, I am livid that a team has actually signed him. Vick’s claims that he will crusade for animal rights fall on deaf ears in my household. He’s a sociopath with a multi-million dollar career at stake. It would be a far better deterrent for future dog fight promoters to see that Vick’s life was ruined by his actions, rather than seeing him serve a brief stint in jail and return to his former glory, making it all better by saying, whoops, my bad, sorry.
Sorry, Mike: in my book you don’t deserve a second chance.
Vick had hands-on involvement in his dog-fight operation, including killing some of the dogs. Rather than being put down immediately, the surviving dogs were rescued and are being rehabilitated. Here’s the story of Shadow, rescued by Best Friends Animal Society:
Shadow used to be so shy he’d hide in the corner and try to disappear. When he came to Best Friends he wanted nothing to do with anybody. He was completely shut down.
Not surprising when you learn what he’s had to live through. Shadow is one of the 22 dogs who came to Best Friends from the estate of former NFL quarterback, Michael Vick after he was arrested and charged with “conspiracy to engage in dog fighting in violation of the animal welfare act.”
Out of all 22 Vicktory dogs who came to Best Friends, Shadow was perhaps the most withdrawn. Everything terrified him. On his walks, he’d do a sort of commando crawl the whole way, staying as low to the ground as possible.
Wow, what a turnaround! It’s amazing what a little TLC can do (okay, a lot of TLC). Once Shadow came to realize that everybody wanted to love him and help him get better, he became a different dog entirely. Nowadays he loves visitors, walks, and all things fun. An amazing act of healing in a dog who used to think the entire world was one big scary problem to hide from.
Best Friends and Pit Bull rescue organization Bad Rap were two of the groups who helped rescue Vick’s dogs, and rehabilitation, though mostly successful, has not been easy. The scars were not only skin deep. The dogs were abused emotionally as well as physically.
Currently, the only outlets I know of to express your outrage to the Eagles, owner Jeffrey Laurie and coach Andy Reid is to 1) sign a petition and 2) send an email through their website. No, it won’t do any good, but I think it’s important to let them know that pursuit of the almighty dollar does not trump animal cruelty. If enough people voice their outrage, we might move a little closer in this country to implementing a zero-tolerance policy toward animal cruelty.
Please tweet this post [short URL: http://su.pr/1Pw5IU] and get the word out.
- Click here to contact the Eagles.
- Sign the petition protesting Vick’s signing.
Me & mom just sent off an email to them.
Hopefully they will change their minds & take that dog killer off their team!
Here is a petition to sign also.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/eagles-fans-against-michael-vick
We left a message at both sites, Skeezix.
That poor puppy he’s holding looks kind of nervous which tells me he hasn’t changed a bit. The Eagles had the perfect opportunity to pressure Vick to give a big % of the money to Best Friends etc and could have come out of this looking good. Now they just look like a bunch of money grubbing losers and I hope they lose some major advertisers.
We sent a HISS FIT email asking da coach and owner if theyza smoking catnip when they makes this stupid decision. And weeza said he should be working for free and donating all his money to animal orgs Then weeza said “Shame Shame Shame” tooza them. Hmmm, my momma and me is deescusted!
He sure didn’t sound sincere when we saw him on television tonight. It took jail for him to realize what he was doing was wrong? He sounds like he is reading from a script and is only “sorry” because we wanted to get signed to a team. The Eagles should be ashamed, and I hope their fans protest! We’re boycotting the NFL – Daddy said he wouldn’t watch any of games this year, and Mawmee never watches it anyway! He should have never been reinstated.
We are embarrassed to be from South Jersey right now and have the Eagles as our football team. To be honest I hate football anyway and have never cared about the Eagles. This is so upsetting.
We don’t think e-mails will do much to change people’s minds, but money talks – if enough people boycott Philadelphia Eagles games, someone may get the message – this news disgusts us!!!!
Dis man no-ting but a litter-box deposit. Isaac und hez staff takink vut-eva action ve can. Tank ju for de links Skeezix, und angel kee-sees to ju!
While you are writing emails, why not send some to the NFL sponsors and in particular, the sponsors of the Philadelphia Eagles? My mom did. Economics speak volumes, and if we stop using the sponsors’ products and let them know about it, perhaps it might do some good. It can’t hurt!
Purrs,
Tigger
Thank you Skeez for posting the links. Meows sent e-mails and signed the petition. This just proves football is all about money – what happened to Athletes being people CHILDREN looked up to? How many innocent LITTLE DOGS AND CATS were killed to train the dogs? No one will ever know – will they?
His interview last night was a joke – he never mentioned regret for his actions – he is a disgusting human being – and we hope that the dog lovers on the other teams do serious damage to him.
I am even changing the name of my Morgans Beds flying Eagle – to the flying Raven – she is embarresed to be associated with the name Eagle.
We hope every fur in NY/NJ/PA keeps their fur children locked inside and safe from this disgusting predator.
A furry disgusted Pirate Gato
I have sent an email and signed the petition. I am from the Philly area and feel betrayed. As long as he remains, I’ll probably be cheering the Steelers.
Animals are true innocents, and never deserve such treatment.
Not to burst your bubbles or anything, but your emails and letters will not even be read. Not only that, but each and every Eagles home game will be sold out without a doubt. I know you’re all passionate about animal rights, but your efforts are lame and will get nowhere.
Not to mention, if you don’t support the justice system, one that seeks to repair people’s ills in the hopes that they can be a contributing member of society, you can go live elsewhere. The man did his time and now he’s looking for a job. He found one. That’s the beauty of America. Go cry about it elsewhere.
My mom signed the petition. She noticed that one of the other signers posted a list of the Eagles’ corporate sponsors. Maybe people should write to these sponsors and tell them they are boycotting their products.
http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/team/corporatepartners.html
Mommy is thinking of buying one of those Michael Vick doggy chew toys for our dog.
We were not happy when we heard that the Eagles took Vick! We can’t believe they would do that. Vick does not sound like he is sorry. Maybe sorry for being caught for animal cruelty and being locked up, but not truly sorry for torturing and killing the innocent babies.
Mommy doesn’t believe they should give him a second chance. The dogs he killed didn’t get a second chance, so why should he??
Charlie Murphy – Not to burst YOUR bubble or anything but the majority of public opinion is in line with the opinions being expressed here. I’d rather see people making a ‘lame effort’ to stand up for what’s decent rather than soulless humans who can’t respect the life of a defenceless animal and thinks that someone who inflicts such violence and suffering on what’s meant to be ‘man’s best friend’ deserves a second chance to be a sporting hero. He had a once in a lifetime opportunity when he was taken on in the NFL and shouldn’t have been given another one after committing a crime that should be put on a par with child abuse, in my opinion, being as it’s the same types of humans who tend to commit both these types of atrocity.
I think it brings total disgrace upon the NFL for not kicking him out when they had the opportunity.
I’m not a fan of Michael Vick. I wasn’t happy when I heard the Eagles signed him, but it has nothing to do w/ the dog fighting operation. I love dogs, don’t get me wrong. What Vick did was definitely uncalled for, sadistic and should never be shown in a positive light. However, he did his prison time required by the judge. The man deserves a second chance and the fact that none of you are giving the man that chance and even saying you’re no longer Eagles fans because they signed Vick only shows your lack of faith in our justice system. If you went to jail and got out you’d want to be able to get another job, right? Why should Mike Vick not be allowed to have a job? Do you really wish unemployment and homelessness on another human being? If so that makes you a sad individual.
On an unrelated note, what the hell is up with this bastardized version of English so many of you are typing? Get an education before you concern yourself w/ the life of someone else.
No way shud dis guy get to play ball in dis fuutbull season. Whut he done hurted too many doggies. If he dus play his whule salury shud go to Best Friends Animuls Society – dem people who takes car of doggies and kitties and all animuls. He cun say him sorry if’n you belves it – read the stury of Shadow the dog – took lots a luv and time to heal dis pur creature- he scared uf everuthing. I’s a Shdaow kitty cat an i wus rescued by my mummy and her boy Boo an now i’s not scred, i’s fed and i’s happy. TLC dey say it wus an i gived it too and am stil givin it. Don let dids guy go back to his life he don diserve it no way now how – from The Shadow and Boo via our Mommy
Remorseful? No way, he just put on a good showing to gain release from prison. If given half a chance, I’d bet my last dollar, he’d do it agin. And remember, he must put on a show to get his million+ new pay check. This is shamefull to all concerned. I’ve signed the petition, will send emails and do whatever else I can. I’m not going away, that’s for sure! AND, I will not watch/support any football this season or ever that the Eagles are involved with.
TO: Not A fan of Vick
The “bastardized version of English”? LOL It’s called critter speak. In case you hadn’t noticed you are on Catster. Many/most, who love our furbabies and furiends speak for them and to them in this manner much as “baby talk”. Perhaps you should visit other sites more in tune to your higher standards. As to referring to Vicks as a “human” being? Yeah, physiologically maybe, but sub human as far as most of us are concerned. Who or where we choose to spend our money or put our support is our business. I’m all for him getting a job as sanitation worker with minimum wage.
Me doth think thou art the sad individual in that you have nothing better to do than come on this site and bad mouth us! Not to worry over our collective educations, you need to get a life …
My $.02… the man served his time and deserves a second chance, and he can do far more good for dogs in the future by staying in the public eye and donating time and money to humane organizations (as he said he would do) than by remaining unemployed. Also, I am creeped out by the concept of “furbabies”. I have two cats, and I love them, but I don’t pretend that they understand English (even “critter speak”), and I don’t think of them as my “children”. That being said, I respect your right to be crazy in your own space, but please try to have some sense of perspective. Ookie has already lost years of his life and millions of dollars. What further punishment do you all want?
“Also, I am creeped out by the concept of “furbabies”. I have two cats, and I love them, but I don’t pretend that they understand English (even “critter speak”), and I don’t think of them as my “children”. That being said, I respect your right to be crazy in your own space….”
Glad I’m not the only one who thinks people who “talk” for their pets are a little off in the head.
We can not even tell you how absolutely DISGUSTED we are with our team. We used to be really big fans, now…..we are without words. We know we will NOT be fans anymore of McNabb and Reid…..they must have serious screws loose to think he deserves another shot.
The general consensus is that like it or not, he’s here for at least a year. So, it looks like the ONLY way to have a say in this matter, is to let your money, or lack of it, do the talking. Boycott the Eagles sponsors. Bother THEM. Since its clearly a money issue, hit them in the pocket. Its the only thing people in America understand, sadly. To do, visit http://www.sackvick.net, a website devoted to expressing our distaste of this signing, by doing what this country did so effectively years ago…boycotting to make a statement. On this site, you will find the sponsors, their CEO names, addresses, phone numbers and emails. Contact them directly. Yesterday, the Eagles removed their sponsor list from their website. Too late. http://www.sackvick.net was already up and running.
Now, for those of you who don’t ‘talk’ to their pets, etc. You clearly do not respect our rights or you wouldn’t be in OUR space criticizing. I have a suggestion…why not take your ‘loved’ cats over to the NovaCare center and have Michael Vick take care of them for a few days. He’s reformed, paid his dues. They should be fine….
To ‘Not a fan of Vick”
Pathetic, really, that you’re unable to appreciate life’s purity while gleefully supporting such abhorrent, sadistic behavior as evidenced by Mr. Vick. Apparently, you’re one unifocally-guided antagonist, and marginally so at best.
I’m delighted to know that for every ONE of you, there are hundeds of thousands of us who delight and are inspired by the tireless work and sacrafice animals, particularly dogs, have made to enrich our human lives. From war dogs to medical advancements, crime prevention, enabling the physically challenged, vision- and hearing-impaired, seizure notification as well as those current efforts aimed to detect cancer at a greater cellular level than current conventional detection methods.
Lastly, if you are ‘creeped out’ by our interactions, I suggest you return to your pro-Vick site where your innane and myopic view may be better enjoyed.
Note to Dogsters and Catsters
Please take a peak at the below Dogster Group link – we need every bark and meow directed at the Eagles’ sponsors and NFL. Let’ all do something for those who can’t.
For the Love of Every Dog
Michael Vick does not deserve a second chance, not everybody does…especially people like MV who’s had opportunities denied to most.
He could have used his fame and money for something positive, yet he decided to use it for evil purposes.
The 60 Minute interview didn’t show us a remorse, it showed someone who knows he has to say “the right thing” in order to get back to where the money is.
Those who hired him are as amoral and materialistic as Vick, i hope it all backfires and they live to regret their decision.
Please write/boycott Eagle corporate sponsors listed on Eagles website.
I’ve written about a dozen letters. Best Buy, US Airways and RiteAid are choosing to support animal cruelty. Only Anheuser Busch wrote a thoughtful note outling their animal rights activities,
And regarding second chances. Michael Vick gave his dogs second chances-if they didn’t die when he hung them – he would hold their heads in a bucket of water until they drowned. He gave them a second chance to DIE A HORRIBLE DEATH..
Millie and Tucker,
Thank you so much for the links you posted. I had written a letter to the Eagles, knowing full well that they wouldn’t care and that my small amount of $$ wouldn’t matter but, yes indeed, contacting the sponsors and boycotting their goods/services WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
“crazy in your own space” LOL maybe so. Better to be in my world than your’s. That’s all the ‘perspective’ I need
High paws, tail wags and head butts
Shadie Kaye and the rest of my furbabies
As hard as it is to be in contact with the commisioner for bad conduct of any action i know he’s in charge of the decisions of the NFL, let’s leave it up to him because everyone needs a job buttom line {EVEN IN PRISON}
I saw Mr.Vick on “60 Minutes” and all I can say is,he STILL doesn’t get it! What he did to those poor,helpless dogs is horrible and he only served two years. and then he is welcomed back into the NFl,as if nothing happened! aren’t any of his teammates animal lovers? he is being rewarded for serving his time and now he can get back to what he likes to do. Well,his dogs can’t. shame on the Eagles for taking him onto their team.
I agree with you. This man does not deserve to play on a team…. well perhaps unless he must give his entire salary for the rest of his life, to the human society or aspca or something like that. This guy is just awful