I was stunned to read that Michael Vick, convicted dog torturer/killer, will be receiving the Ed Block Courage Award, given to one member of each NFL team AS VOTED BY HIS TEAMMATES, who exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.

Subsequently, AKC President Dennis Sprung sent a letter to the Ed Block Foundation and Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Philadelphia Eagles expressing AKC’s concern that a player who has been convicted in connection with his dog fighting activities which included abuse, torture and killing is being honored with an award named after someone who abhorred child abuse. Research suggests there is a direct link between animal abuse and child abuse and domestic violence.

Pat Laurans of the German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America has started a grassroots campaign asking that animal lovers send respectful letters of protest regarding the inappropriate choice of Michael Vicks for a Sportsmanship award. She provides the following sample letter which you can modify as you wish. Names and addresses follow.

Dear____________:

I was shocked and horrified to learn that Michael Vick will be receiving the 2009 Ed Block Courage Award. This award “honors those National Football League players who exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage.” I fail to see how Michael Vick who was convicted of committed such heinous acts of abuse against animals can be held up as a role model of sportsmanship and courage as well as an inspiration to others. Especially in light of the fact that Ed Block, the Award’s namesake, dedicated his life to ending the vicious cycle of pain and despair suffered by children at the hands of their abusers, not unlike the actions of Michael Vick against equally living beings.

And while Michael Vick has been voted by his teammates for this award, I strongly disagree with them on their selection. I believe he should NOT be honored in light of the documented connection between abuse to animals and child abuse and domestic violence. Researchers have also found that having a history of animal abuse is considered to be one of the key predictors of violent criminal behavior against people.

Letters, e-mails and calls of protest should be directed to:

Ed Block Courage Award Foundation
8808 Orchard Tree Lane
Towson MD 21286
Phone: 410.821.6252
Fax: 410.821.6240

Sam Lamantia – Chairman
sam@edblock.org

Dave Copenhaver – Manager
dave@edblock.org

Philadelphia Eagles
Jeffrey Lurie – owner
NovaCare Complex
1 NovaCare Way
Philadelphia, PA 19145

Philadelphia Eagles
Director of Public Relations
Derek Boyko
NovaCare Complex
One NovaCare Way
Philadelphia, PA 19145
(215)463-2500
Fax (215)667-6114
boyko@eagles.nfl.com

I can’t comment any further on Michael Vick and the Eagles without using a fistful of expletives, but I hope you’ll join me and Pat in expressing our outrage to the Eagles and the Ed Block organization.

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.