Posts tagged "MichaelVick"

In 2007, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick made headlines, but it wasn't for his performance on the field. Set up on the grounds of his Virginia home was Bad Newz, a pseudo kennel that was really a dog-fighting business stocked with 51 pit bulls. Journalist Jim Gorant first wrote about the sordid case for "Sports Illustrated." This week, his new book, "The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption," hits stores. We asked Gorant to tell us what happened to the animals and share tales from this latest project.

Of the 51 dogs, 47 have new owners, and one even participates in a reading program for children. Can you tell us more about these dogs?
It's incredible, especially given the hoops people had to jump through to save the dogs from being euthanized. Both PETA and the Humane Society were advocating for that route, noting that there are thousands of dogs without violent histories that need homes. There was also the liability issue for the government, which had to consider what, if any, upside there would be to letting the dogs live. If one of Vick's pit bulls was placed in a new home and something happened, there would be backlash. But it paid off when you look at a dog like Jonny Justice, who's part of the reading program "Paws for Tales." He's nothing but a super-sweet dog who loves kids.

In 2007, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick made headlines, but it wasn't for his performance on the field. Set up on the grounds of his Virginia home was Bad Newz, a pseudo kennel that was really a dog-fighting business stocked with 51 pit bulls. Journalist Jim Gorant first wrote about the sordid case for "Sports Illustrated." This week, his new book, "The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick's Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption," hits stores. We asked Gorant to tell us what happened to the animals and share tales from this latest project.

Of the 51 dogs, 47 have new owners, and one participates in a kids reading program. Can you tell us more?
It's incredible, especially given the hoops people had to jump through to save the dogs from being euthanized. Both PETA and the Humane Society were advocating for that route, noting that there are thousands of dogs without violent histories that need homes. There was also the liability issue for the government, which had to consider what, if any, upside there would be to letting the dogs live. If one of Vick's pit bulls was placed in a new home and something happened, there would be backlash. But it paid off when you look at a dog like Jonny Justice, who's part of the reading program "Paws for Tales." He's nothing but a super-sweet dog who loves kids.

Remember when Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick led an illegal dogfighting ring, a cruel bloodsport that pits canine against canine for the sole purposes of gambling and violence, often resulting in the death of innocent animals? Remember that guy? Yeah, well, he's getting a TV show.

Tentatively titled "The Michael Vick Project", the BET docu-series will follow the athlete-cum-convicted felon (who was accused of "directly participating in dog fights and executions") as he seeks remorse for his actions. In doing so, the program will chronicle Vick's return to the NFL, as well as his attempt to find redemption for his actions, which have not been forgotten among the animal activist set. In fact, PETA spokesman Dan Shannon tells the L.A. Times, "People who abuse animals don't deserve to be rewarded, [nor should they] be given multimillion-dollar contracts ... or the privilege of being a role model."

We must agree with PETA (although that shouldn't come as a surprise). No matter how regretful Vick may (or may not) be of his actions, the fact that he has so quickly bounced from behind prison bars to the front of a camera lens seems blatantly opportunistic and ultimately in poor taste. Furthermore, Vick's claim that the show will be "a blueprint for so many kids" is laughable. Considering all the societal ills threatening children today, remaining a filthy rich sports star after being punished for killing dogs for more money isn't necessarily at the top of the totem pole.

Exactly what good will "The Michael Vick Project" do? More over, what good can "The Michael Vick Project" do? An idea such as this says less about genuine redemption than it does about both ratings-hungry television executives and overeager public relations staffers eagerly taking advantage of "how entertainment works now." The prospect of handing Vick a reality show steeped in themes of atonement and salvation -- for which his compensation hasn't been disclosed (um, hi, animal rights charity?) -- should read less as a socially conscious act and more as a tactless, crafty method of image repair, all in the name of -- you guessed it -- money.

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Outraged that Michael Vick, who served 18 months in prison for funding dogfights, was signed on to the Philadelphia Eagles? You now have more than one reason to cheer when the quarterback gets sacked this season.

Pennsylvania's Main Line Animal Rescue (MLAR) placed an ad in the Washington Post pledging that each time the Eagles' new quarterback is tackled during the Oct. 26 away game against the Redskins, five bags of dog food will be donated to a D.C. animal shelter.

In signing Vick, the Eagles have said they believe he deserves a second chance. Bill Smith, founder and CEO of MLAR tells Paw Nation, "Maybe it's about time that the million pit bulls euthanized every year got their second chance."

"The Eagles have made their choice; he's here, and there's nothing we can do about that," Smith continues. "The best way we can handle it is to start this campaign where we can raise public awareness about the plight of these animals."

Smith explains an equally problematic side effect of the illegal sport: dogs born in each litter who end up not used for fighting get dumped into already overpopulated city shelters. "Over a million pit bulls and pit mixes are euthanized every year." And because of people like Vick, who exploit and mistreat these dogs, pit bulls get a bad rap. "Pit bulls are incredibly sweet dogs. There's a saying, 'Judge the deed, not the breed.' They are very smart, a great size, low-shedding -- they make great pets. You just need the right kind of person [to adopt them]."

Smith says that MLAR is reaching out to dog food companies to donate pallets of food to participating shelters across the country. "We thought it would be funny, and we wanted to get a lot of attention." He added that the campaign really is about using Michael Vick's name to "do something positive."

We support anything that provides food for animals in need -- not to mention getting back at a bully! -- which makes the Oct. 26th game one even a pacifist, non-football fan can root for.

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