MICHAEL VICK:UPDATE 6/26/11- WHAT SAY YOU? NO!

Click here: Vick%u2019s Compound Bought by Animal Rights Group - NYTimes.com UPdate: 6/22/11

An animal rights group bought Michael Vicks former dogfighting compound in Norfolk, Va., and plans to turn it into a rehabilitation center for chained and penned dogs. Vick served 18 months in prison for running a dogfighting operation, Bad Newz Kennels, from the property. He eventually sold the Surry County property to a developer. The group, Dogs Deserve Better of Tipton, Pa., bought the five-bedroom home for about $600,000.

Update 6/26/11
Click here: Vick's autograph session pits fans against animal rights backers - NorthJersey.com
Click here: Convicted dogfighter arrested again - chicagotribune.com

Michael Vick wants a dog. Simply put: No.  AnimalActionUSA.  After his conviction on dogfighting charges he was barred from having a dog until, at the very least, his probation was complete. While we at DogExplorer.com have a belief in rehabilitation, there are circumstances such as the Michael Vick case where the demonstrated lack of decision making; of knowing right from wrong; the absence of compassion and care for the well being and prevention of suffering of others, overrides our hope for Vick's rehabilitation.
Click here: DOMINION: The Power of Man, the Suffering of Animals, and the Call to Mercy

Click here: NATIONAL REGISTRY FOR ANIMAL ABUSERS | Petition2Congress

In our opinion, he found pleasure watching pain inflicted on innocent animals in a manner close to many definitions of a psychopath (Psychopathy was, until 1980, the term used for a personality disorder characterized by an abnormal lack of empathy combined with strongly amoral conduct but masked by an ability to appear outwardly normal. Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopathy).

Wayne Pacelle of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) says on his blog that "... I do think that if his rehabilitation progresses and he handles the probation period flawlessly, it could be a good thing for Michael Vick%u2019s family to have a pet at the end of that process."

Sure there are caveats there about Vick's success in probation and rehab, but we still respectfully disagree. It also appears the blog post was a defense against a published story that claimed Pacelle had taken a simple yes or no stand on the issue. From his blog at least, that would not seem to be the case as he argues a thoughtful and nuanced view of this important and touchy issue.

However, Michael Vick has disqualified himself from pet guardianship, in our view, forever. While we do hope his children are given an opportunity independently of their father to know the gift that is an animal's love, while they are part of Vick's household, we say that, unfortunately, that home should be one with no pets allowed.

Pacelle explains his stand by highlighting that the HSUS itself is about change. "We at The HSUS are about the business of change%u2014personal and societal change. Our work with Michael Vick is helping to change the view of pit bulls in urban communities from fighters to friends. We must be open to the possibility that rehabilitation is possible, and faithful to our hope that people can change. When that rehabilitation succeeds, it%u2019s to the good for all involved%u2014people and animals alike."

A laudable sentiment to be sure. It is just misguided and misapplied in the Michael Vick case.

Comment on this opinion piece in our forum please.

AnimalActionUSA