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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback, Michael Vick served 18-months of a 23-month prison sentence after he was found guilty of bankrolling a dog-fighting operation, Bad Newz Kennels.
In his guilty plea, Vick admitted to helping kill 6 to 8 dogs. While Vick’s supporters claim he “did his time,” he has faced no charges of animal cruelty or served a single day in jail for his part in the torture and murder of any dogs.
Now, Vick, who has never publicly expressed remorse for the dogs that suffered, who admitted that, had he not been caught, would still be dogfighting to this day, is advocating for animal rights.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported, that Vick is scheduled to meet with Pennsylvania lawmakers in support of PA House Bill 1516, or the pets in cars bill, which would give police officers authority to rescue dogs and cats from cars due to unsafe temperatures.
“I know that I’m an unlikely advocate,” Vick said through a representative. “I was part of the problem. Now, my perspective can help reach people that activists can’t reach. I can help others become agents of change.”
Vick has been working to improve his public image since the guilty plea in 2007, publicly supporting the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, which makes it a federal crime to attend an organized animal fight. Ironically, the law makes those who merely attend the very events that Vick held at his BadNewz Kennels face stiffer sentences and charges than he himself has ever faced.
What’s your opinion? Is Michael Vick genuinely trying to better the lives of dogs? Or, is this just another PR move to improve his image?
Vicki Gautney
Aug 8, 2017 at 5:17 pm
He's doing what he should be doing, there us nothing HONORABLE about his actions when they only serve to attempt to repair the damage caused to his image. As far as I'm concerned, after following the recovery of the surviving dogs that were rescued…he's a heartless monster.
TJF
Dec 10, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Whether the message is sincere or not, he is a celebrity and hopefully will get the word out there or attract attention about this terrible problem of dogs and hot cars…
I read somewhere this summer that in the past year, OVER 20+ POLICE DOGS were even killed when they were left in hot cars, or cars where they AC went out accidentally.
I live in a hot climate and this happens a lot here….and between the babies left in the cars and the pets left in the cars, its a terrible problem. Car makers should make some kind of alarm system or something. If they don’t care about the animals, then at least care about all the kids that die in the hot cars.
Patty Killi
Dec 10, 2015 at 12:13 pm
This interview expresses Vick’s level of concern before his PR people tightened up his image–
youtube.com/watch?v=FWkzNJPI6eM
Brandy Arnold
Dec 10, 2015 at 12:26 pm
Not surprising… sadly. In every interview I’ve seen or heard, not once has he expressed regret for his actions, only what HE has been through. He even admitted that, had he not been caught, he’d still be fighting dogs. I simply can’t believe he’s advocating for animals for any reason other than to improve his public image, most certainly NOT because he truly cares about dogs. (or anyone besides himself, for that matter). Thanks for the link. Very telling interview.