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On Monday, we announced our suspicion that Michael Vick had a dog after he Tweeted a photo that showed an open box of Milk Bones dog treats on the table (and minutes later removed the photo, replacing it with an almost identical photo, sans Milk Bones).
Today, those suspicions are confirmed.
In an exclusive statement to TMZ, Vick’s PR team confirmed that the family does, indeed, now include a dog.
Vick says, “I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family’s decision to care for a pet. As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals.”
Vick goes on, “I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God’s creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family.”
Vick continues, “This is an opportunity to break the cycle. To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change.”
Vick has not yet disclosed what type of dog he is not caring for, although it’s safe to assume based on his recent interview with Piers Morgan on CNN that it’s “certainly not a pit bull.”
Dog lovers around the country are devastated that someone that committed acts of cruelty to animals so vicious could ever legally own a dog again, and we’ll be watching Vick like a hawk.
bess moore
Apr 2, 2013 at 3:06 pm
Leave God out of this! Such bullshit! Vick should have been tortured like he tortured those poor dogs. Does YOUR Bible say “an eye for an eye?• Did you ignore that part? Selective reading? Dumb ass!
carol shore
Aug 30, 2015 at 7:47 am
Well said this guy is a scourge on society.If you want to bring God into it…………God gave us animals to protect and love.If you know the bible at all explain Noah and how God wanted animals saved.
This guy is a piece of crap.He beat,tortured,hanged,drowned and electrocuted dogs……………….all for his own perverse pleasure.
Ask your self would you leave him alone with your dog?And I am sick of all this crap about he paid his debt…………BS………when those dogs walk the Earth again I will forgive.For now get his trashy behind off the football field.Animals are our most innocent victims.
bess moore
Apr 2, 2013 at 9:11 am
He shouldn’t have dogs or kids! Sick SOB!!!!
Mila Long
Jan 18, 2013 at 9:35 am
Let’s not forget this man burried the losers alive and also hung them. Just because the moron runs up and down a football field does not make him anything that deserves forgiveness.
How would he like his kids hung or burried alive. The man deserves nothing.
jr
Feb 1, 2013 at 10:04 am
Why take the chance? If he doesn’t own one (like he did in the past-those poor things), he won’t have the chance to do it again. Think about it. How would you feel if you said yes, he can have a dog and 6 months or a year from now, you hear he abused, or worse, had it fighting? I honestly can say, I could not live with myself. To me, animals are the most innocent, loving creatures who roam the earth. Man can not compare to understand just how special they are. Why chance ruining an animal so he can have a pet? He had his chance. If he wants to teach his kids about animals, let them volunteer at a shelter or better yet, have them visit Best Friends and see what their father did to those dogs. There is nothing anyone on this earth can say to me that will ever, EVER, change my mind.
bess moore
Apr 2, 2013 at 9:13 am
Absolutely! Nothing!
Sue Rosenorn
Jan 15, 2013 at 3:07 am
Why arent the authorities pounding down his door?
jacques chien
Dec 2, 2012 at 10:28 am
Although I agree with the large majority of the comments, that MVick should have been punished more harshly, and should not be eligible to own a dog, I did read an interesting interview with him once. He sounded sincerely contrite, as if he had understood the monstrosity of his acts. And he added something interesting, saying that he was working with various shelters and organizations against dog fighting. He said, (paraphrasing) “I know I can never live it down, or make up for what I did. But in the end, if I caused the death of dozens of dogs during my dog fighting period, but save thousands due to my charity work after release from prison, won’t I be forgiven?” I have no way of knowing if he is still involved in the charity work, but if his commitment to atonement is true, it does make for an interesting question.
Kris
Oct 17, 2012 at 12:51 pm
He is a piece of shit and should never be allowed to have a dog again.
Carol Helton
Oct 16, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Allowing Michael Vick to own a dog is equal to allowing a child molester to adopt a child! Who is going to teach his children the benfits and rewards of owning a pet…certainly not the dog killer!!!! He is unremorseful for his past deeds and certainly “a leapord does NOT change his spots”!
Nora
Oct 15, 2012 at 10:34 am
Vick’s kids may not be old enough now to understand what cruel, inhumane, deeds he did, or how many helpless dogs he fought, or killed. One day others will tell them. See how much love or respect he gets from them then. He should not ever be allowed to own any animals as long as he lives. This should be court ordered, and enforced!
Barbara Craig
Oct 14, 2012 at 5:19 pm
Thisd is so much bullshit!! He can’t teach his kids something he does not know. I can’t wait till his kids google him and see what kind of monster he is. Please someone HIT him hard and end his career in football. Then I hope his old lady leaves and take the kids and dog as this Fuckwad is not capable of showing anything how to be compassionate. I wish he could not play football and make thousands off of people who hate him!!! AHHHHH!!!!
Nancy
Oct 14, 2012 at 5:08 pm
I’d never trust Vick with kids or animals ever without some type of supervision. The only reason he’s being so “generous”is because it was court ordered.
People like Vick only change for awhile. He’ll be back in the news someday. Same dog-different collar.
Cathy Russell
Oct 13, 2012 at 2:44 am
I think you Vick gave up the right to ever have a dog. Vick is a convicted dog fighting. Nope he doesn’t deserve to ever have a dog in his family he has already proved how he treats them. He’s a pig and should be in prison
deb
Oct 13, 2012 at 1:09 am
he always says the right things lets just hope he does the right things. it is true that the cycle be broken, if a dog can help to rehab men and women in prison who are we to say he has not been.plus can you just imagine how many people will be checkin that pup out!
Deborah Lee
Oct 13, 2012 at 2:43 pm
I hope you’re right. Though most people in prison who are rehabilited with the help of animals, are also under close supervision with them. I hope his neighbors and friends are willing to report him if they see anything wrong … that’s the other part of the issue.
Sandra Lueker
Oct 12, 2012 at 9:06 pm
You are a PIG that should never be allowed to own any kind of animal after what you did! You disgust me and every dog lover I know…there will be a special place in hell for you and I don’t care who says you are rehabilitated…nothing you ever do will make me forget what you did to those poor dogs…we have pit bulls as a part of our family and I would die if anyone did to them what you did to those poor dogs…you should be ashamed of yourself not putting yourself back in the media spotlight again….
Cshelto 5
Oct 12, 2012 at 8:57 pm
OH MY but what was it GOD is the only one who is suppose to judge but it sure sounds like this whole group must be the only ones free of sin and willing to cast that first stone. I do believe what he did was horrific and he will meet his maker one day but it is not for me to judge but pray for him that GOD will help him honor his commitment to help dogs now that he has paid his debt to society for his crimes. This is typical behavior for many when it comes to fighting dogs and they are allowed to do it. Even in the legislature in AL we in AL votes for Animal rights (AVRAL) had to fight to make it illegal to fight dogs in AL. Crazy world we live in without all this additional crazy talk!! Please wish the best for his dog and his kids and may GOD watch over you all!!
Peaches804
Oct 12, 2012 at 8:33 pm
I am so thankful that the God I serve forgives (regularly and ongoing) my sins and allows me to continue in His grace. I am glad that the God I serve removed the responsibility of me being the judge of others because I have sinned just like Vick. No I have never tortured dogs or kicked the cat but I have sinned. I, just like Vick, have made and continue to make MISTAKES (daily). I am thankful that the GOD I serve, saw fit to give me; a lowly, undeserving sinner a second, third, fourth. . . .chance. Michael paid his debt and he knows that what he “DID” (past tense) was so wrong and despicable that he has no desire to repeat the offense. To all you PERFECT people, he knows he is watched and harshly judged closely EVERYDAY. And the GOD I serve loves Vick just as much as HE loves you and I.
Christa
Oct 17, 2012 at 4:55 am
Just because you dragged God into this debate, I have to reply. Where was your God who supposedly watches about everything, when this sick bastard tortured and killed innocent dogs? Were they not God’s creatures as well? So your God “loves” V, but did not love the creatures he made to suffer horrible?
Sorry, but somehow your mind is twisted.
DoxieMom
Oct 12, 2012 at 3:36 pm
I agree with most of the people here. Its just plain stupid to give this guy a dog. And his statement about teaching his children about treating God’s creatures with kindness and respect is just PR because, as you can see, so many people still resent what Vick did and think he got off easy. Can’t have consumers boycotting his product endorsements. Why suddenly care so much about what he teaches his kids when he didn’t seem to care about teaching them to abuse animals? I wouldn’t give this guy a pet cricket much less a dog.
Beth
Oct 12, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Ok, so maybe Vick has served a nominal amount of time in prison, maybe he’s even really atoned for his despicable acts BUT…Come on, there has to be some kind of limit here. He abused dogs, he should not be allowed to legally own a dog. It’s quite simple really. And perhaps it would even teach his children, who he is so concerned about having a positive bond with animals, that there are actual repercussions in life for the things that you choose to do. The animal rights and welfare laws in this country are abominable. There is never justice for the animals in America.
James
Oct 12, 2012 at 3:13 pm
Ha shows what he knows about dogs . Saying a fake god made dogs is such a oxy-moron. Man made all dogs , if u wanna say your fake god made the gray wolf , ok but your still wrong . Remember god hates dogs because they have the same letters and treat humans better then god . Oh yeah and they are Real. hahaha
Toni Blanchard
Oct 12, 2012 at 2:35 pm
My comment is mostly to say to Terry McCullough’s reply why should this thing they call VICK who claims to be a man be given a second chance. I’m sure the dogs that he tortured and killed did not get a second chance now did they! I would give a dog that bit someone a second chance before I gave any human being that did what Vick did to those innocent animals. People are suppose to know right from wrong were animals only know what they are taught as far as right from wrong!!!!! Vick and all people like him as far as I’m concerned should all rot in HELL!!!!!!
Mary
Oct 12, 2012 at 2:02 pm
I am so sick and angry, that vick has a dog! He does not deserve to own a dog! Those poor dogs that were brutality tortured and Killed! It breaks my heart! This is very wrong! That poor dog so be taken out of that house! I pray to God that dog will be OK!
janet walker
Oct 12, 2012 at 1:47 pm
this is one black son of a bitch that i hope win he plays ball that he breaks his neck and back and cant ever in his life move again. Burn in hell Vick!!!!
Peaches804
Oct 12, 2012 at 8:38 pm
Be careful what you wish on people. Karma s a b*tch. Glad you never made a mistake in life.
teresa benedix
Oct 12, 2012 at 1:47 pm
The man needs to be hanging from a rope by his teeth (as they train fighting dogs) and made to remain there until his teeth fall out!!!!
Corina Torres
Oct 12, 2012 at 1:23 pm
This makes me sick….how can someone that would shoot a dog(s) in the head because he lost in the dog fighting ring have the pleasure of owning a dog? He had no remorse at all while the dogs were being torn apart! Bastard!
And him saying “I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God’s creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family.” is such bullshit. That’s like a crack addict expressing how they’re teaching their children the importance of never doing drugs. He doesn’t deserve that honor of owning a dog. Sick!
Stacie
Oct 12, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Anyone can make a mistake or carless error, they deserve a second chance. Like forgetting to put fresh water out, like not cleaning up the dog poo in the yard. Those are mistakes. Those are careless errors. What he did was cruel and not normal and not careless but very deliberate and inhumane. What he did is not accidentally harm something, he did it on purpose with no regard for life. Personally i dont think he should be allowed to raise children or animals. His heart is cold and evil.
Gina
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Lorrie …. did you know that his kids HAD a dog before??? He SHOULDNT get a 2nd chance..Why?? because he USED his kids’ dog as a BAIT dog!! Tell us..Do you think he should still have ANY dogs??!!! DO you even know what a BAIT dog is?? Get over your self.. you must not be a TRUE animal lover!!! HE should have got alot more then just that stupid slap on the wrist! He did nothin but hurt and kill so many sweet babies that didnt do a single fuckin thing to him!! How bout he come to your house and take any of your animals and let them stay with him..would you trust him? MICHAEL VICK IS A SICK PERSON WHO DOESNT DESERVE ANY ANIMAL LET ALONE A ROACH!!! GET OVER YOUR DAMN SELF AND THIS STUPID SECOND CHANCE BS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sandra Lueker
Oct 12, 2012 at 9:09 pm
I totally agree with everything you said….anyone who thinks this man should ever own a dog again or be given a second chance is just as guilty as he is! He is a pig from hell and I’m sure his kids know what he did by now…he doesnt’ have to teach them anything by getting a dog…he doesn’t deserve one!
Susan Schlais
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:54 pm
This hurts my heart!! My only hope is every time he looks at that dog and the unconditional love the dog gives to his children he feels NOTHING BUT REMORSE AND REGRET!! He shouldn’t be allowed to own pets period. But he does and there’s not anything anyone can do but pray it will be okay. His punishment will never fit his crime. I just hope this isn’t his way of saying “F— you to the world”. I just feel this is a tragedy no matter how you look at it!
Ann
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:40 pm
If he had killed children, would any of you say, ‘awwwww, he’s learned his lesson, he’s a good guy now, let him have 3 or 4 more!’——I don’t think so!!!!!
Barbara Craig
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:39 pm
This is sick!! How r u going to teach “love for all Gods creatures” when u tortured them? Do u think they wont grow up and read what a piece of SHIT their Dad is??? I think u should remove the dog and the kids!!! How can they take dogs from hoarders and declare that they get no more animals and yet the F#@$head can hav another one???I want to send two fighting pitties to his house and let them hav their second chance at killing his worthless ass!!! I hate this man. He should not be allowed to be in the public eye-much less make thousands of dollars to do so!! He is a criminal!! Should we let all felons come out and do what they did again? The soldiers who fight for our freedom should be making thousands not an animal abuser in a helmet. Please someone in football hit this bastard and break him so he can end up with a horrible life!! That is what he deserves!!! Oh and u cannot teach ur children what u dont know!!! I hav yet to see him do anything to help with any dogs!!! Asswipe!!!!!
Boston Terrier
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:37 pm
He claimed to have loved his dogs when he was caught for his horrific abuse. Take the dog away fast! His kids can learn by watching the horrific footage of the abuse he heaped on multiple dogs. I couldn’t believe when he was allowed to play professional sports again let alone now he’s allowed to kick around another dog!!!!!!!!!! Leopards don’t change their spots and MV does not deserve the love of a dog for any reason and the fact that he’s dragging his kids into his reason is disgusting.
Barbara Craig
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Hell Yeah!!!
Lenora KIng
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:37 pm
there are so many people that never thought of dogs as pets. they were something you had and threw an occaissional bone to. animals weren’t thought of as companions, and those people didn’t know what they were missing. I don’t know any people engaged in fighting their dogs, but the other type of owners have come to realize how great a PET is, and have actually changed their relationships with their pets. I said all that to say that people can change and I hope that is the case with MVick. like many people, I like my dogs much more than many people, and I think that is the case with many of the notices on this article; but lets give Vick a chance and home visits to whatever agency wants to oversee the dogs’ care.
Monica Ryan
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:31 pm
Honestly, if he were any typical citizen his name would have been put on a DNA (do not adopt to) list for a rescue/shelter dog. Why should he get any special treatment? While I believe we all make mistakes, what he did was beyond horrendous and cruel. And yet, he gets a 2nd chance? If he has really “changed” even he would not have thought he deserved to have the companionship of ANY ANIMAL.
Deborah Lee
Oct 13, 2012 at 2:39 pm
Monica,
I agree with you. As a celebrity, he automatically gets special treatment. Also, anyone I know of who actually understands the impact and cruelty of their past behavior would be afraid to trust themselves with an animal again.
If he was really rehabilitated, he would be sending his kids to Humane Society programs to learn how to properly take care of dogs, and walk HS dogs if they wanted to spend time with dogs.
There are a lot of dogs who are considered unadoptable because they are so pent up and stressed from living in shelters … walks cold do a lot to take the edge off.
Why not have his kids actually do something that can save the lives of other dogs if he is truly wanting to make ammends for his past actions?!
Probably he is caught up in saving his professional reputation as much as anything else. This makes me want to write to the HSUS – Asking them to be accountable.
Lois
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:29 pm
Lois Rose Brignola · Pembroke Pines, Florida
Should have felt this way a few years ago, would have saved a lot of pain for many animals…I’m sorry he should not have a dog, and saying all that about GOds Creatures..gag me, Do his childern really know who and what he’s done? how could a man be so devoted to his children and family, torture, electrocute, kill, treat the female dogs like they had no feelings..he has no soul and never will..those memorys will stay he in his very sick mind forever…God watch over this poor dog……..and anothe thing I still believe his family is still doing the dog fighting and I’m sure he is in on it…he is a very sick person…..and all of a sudden he repents….bullshit….Just saying.
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Lois
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:32 pm
sorry so pissed off …wanted to say those memorys will stay in his very sick mind forever
Deborah Lee
Oct 13, 2012 at 2:33 pm
No need to apologize, Lois. We have few venues to process the atrocities that have been done in this culture – including to Vic’s dogs. Often, I have felt the same way.
What I want to know is, what are the ways we actually prevent it in the future?
I’m not sure our media really helps because they profit from the negativity aren’t movitated to actually promote keeping us informed about solutions. Negative news seems to pay …. Makes me wonder what our part as media consumers is.
LoveMyDogs
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:14 pm
I am an avid MV hater since the incident. A life-long Eagles fan and now no more..
I would hope that he felt it appropriate to adopt an animal from a shelter. I would like to think that he has turned around his behavior. I will pray for the dog and hope for the best. If he indeed did adopt a shelter dog, maybe his bad deads have in the end saved one dogs life.
Beverly Salchli
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:13 pm
Saddens me to know tht he was given another dog to mistreat. He has yet to prove to me that he is capable of loving a dog like it should be loved and treating it as it should be treated. He says it is part of his family. How does he treaat his family? Were all of the Pit Bulls part of his family also? I hope someone is keeping a close watch on him.
Merri Smith
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:00 pm
I believe that someone like Mike does not deserve a “second chance” when it comes to the welfare of an innocent animal. As far as I am concerned, all animal abuser’s should have to register just like sex offenders. There is something really wrong with our justice system that allows someone who did such horrible things to another living entity,to ever allow them to own another. OWNING A PET IS A PRIVILGE, NOT A RIGHT!!! There should be regular house visit’s by an authorized Pet Advocate…and at the first sign of trouble, the pet removed, and Mike back in jail!!!
Deborah Lee
Oct 13, 2012 at 2:28 pm
I’m with you on this one. Without decent laws, the animals are left to the courts that treat them only as property. Right now, because farming of animals is quite cruel, any laws that would protect them would be violating a livelihood for many farmers. Part of how we address this is voting with our dollars. Local, humanely raised and killed animals are the best way to know exactly how the animals we (and our pets) eat are raised. Otherwise, we’re subject to retail-driven factory farms (which puppy mills are versions of), and ills like E. coli outbreaks due to overpopulated facilities.
As someone with a background in agriculture, we have a bigger say than we realize in how powerful we are as consumers. And yes, it is possible – to a lesser degree – on a limited income to make choices. Local markets are often a way to personally get to know the farmers, pay less for high-quality food, and often to visit their facilities.
Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero
Oct 12, 2012 at 11:52 am
I read a graphic description of what he and his friend did to a dog and I cannot get it out of my mind. I won’t “do” that to you. However I do feel that he sounds rehabilitated. Seems to understand what he did and how wrong it was. Then again, maybe he just has a good PR person.
karine
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Lady you are delusional… like pollyanna… vick has never been a good person and never will be.
Deborah Lee
Oct 13, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Attacking someone personally is not helpful in any discussion. I can see that you have your belief that what she is doing is delusional.
Attacking, never really helps. The rabid comments I’ve witnessed on this topic attacking others does not service to the dogs we claim to be the subject here. Personally, have mixed feelings about Vick and agree that he should be watched like a Hawk. It’s importan to hold people accountable, which our culture does a very poor job of. Intead there is often scapegoating and witch hunts.
How about if we adopt an approach that actually works?
Not about thinking of people as inherently good or evil like the Hollywood Machine brainwashes us to believe. Some people need to be prevented from repeating their behaviours again. No doubt. What we’re reluctant to admit is that we all need to take a role in accountability. Including addressing the petty personal crimes of attacking one another.
How about getting to the root of the problem?
Where’s the proof that punishment works?
My research shows that consequences and forgiveness (not forgetting) work better. I’m pragmatic. I want to really find the ways of reducing animal abuse. Not tolerating abuse of any being, human or animal seems to work best.
Have an opinion? Give evidence for a better solution … one that actually works rather than the fantasies perpetuated by the media.
Terry McCullough
Oct 12, 2012 at 12:19 pm
Lorrie, I agree with you. Every person deserves a second chance to prove they have changed. I’ve lived my life by this policy, and, while I’ve sometimes been disappointed, more often than not, the results made me happy. Regardless of this, I do think he should be very closely monitored from now on.
Lois
Oct 12, 2012 at 1:05 pm
No way this guy is sick ..he didn’t change …all he should have is a pet rock, do his children know who and what their Daddy is and has done..if I was his child I would run away from home as soon as I was old enough and change my name….he did the most horrible things to dogs…would you leave your child with a child molester after he said he is all better now and found God…( I don’t think so )
Nora
Oct 15, 2012 at 10:37 am
The only thing he is sorry about is getting caught.
Susan Riley
Oct 12, 2012 at 11:44 am
Leopards don’t change their spots. I wouldn’t trust Vick with a dog, ever. I hope there is oversight on the welfare of this poor animal (the dog, not Vick!).
maureen martinek
Oct 12, 2012 at 11:44 am
When he was released from prison, wasn’t there a stipulation that he NEVER owned a dog again?