The NFL season begins tonight. So much of the NFL off-season has been centered around the league's reinstatement of its now-most-infamous player, Mike Vick -- who will now be suspended for only 2 games and will be allowed to make his league debut in week 3 vs the Kansas City Chiefs.
A couple of weeks ago Vick and his new spokesperson Wayne Pacelle did a few interviews to "celebrate" Vick's reinstatement back into the league and his supposed involvement with HSUS's inner city programs to try to stop dog fighting in the inner city.
LA Animal Watch had a couple of great videos at the time -- one on Pacelle talking about Mike Vick, and the other on Vick talking about himself.
Here are the two videos:
Meanwhile, Vick also did an exclusive interview with 60 Minutes -- which is worth watching. While his interview seemed very scripted and not sincere, I will note that one thing did give me some reason for hope in this is that when he stood up to speak, Tio Hardiman, who is someone I do admire for doing great work in the inner city of Chicago, was in the background. I do believe if it is possible for a man like Vick to be himself, rehabilitated, then Tio is the kind of man who can do it.
Here's part 1 of that interview:
And Part 2:
All of the hubbub is enough to drive me to watching solely the college game of football this year. For the life of me, I have no idea why the most successful sports league in the world wants or needs Mike Vick And I have no idea why the the world's wealthiest animal welfare organization (HSUS) would be so quick to push authorities to have all of Vick's dogs killed after they were rescued, but then also so quick to grant the man responsible for terrorrizing and abusing these dogs a second chance.
But there is some good news in the story. Many of the rehabilitated Vick dogs got second chances for exposure. Inside Edition ran a story on some of the successfully rehabbed dogs that are living at Dogtown. KQDS TV in Duluth, MN ran an article on Hector - former Vick dog - now serving as a Therapy dog in the hospitals in Rochester, MN.
There were other stories. But in all, the dogs showed themselves to be the great loving pets they had become....not the monsters often portrayed in the news media. Dogs that even though they really were "bred and trained to fight", have learned to love from their new homes. It certainly makes a very strong case of nurture over nature in aggression -- and providing a trail for other dogs who are rescued from similar circumstances to follow -- and not be doomed to death by the likes of HSUS...who is so quick to offer second chances to dog fighters, but not to the victims themselves.
At least there is a happy ending....or happy new beginning....for the victims of Bad Newz kennels.

Recent Comments