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Should Michael Vick be allowed to own a dog?
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Will Draper, DVM posted:
So - Michael Vick said, in a recent video interview, that he "would love to get another dog in the future". For those who don't know (or were trapped in a hole for the last 3 years) Vick, the present Eagles quarterback and serious NFL MVP contender, served 18 months in prison after being convicted in 2007 on animal cruelty charges (based on his involvement in a Virginia dog-fighting ring). I guarantee you that there are many people, after seeing the interview, who will be buying cardboard posters with paint and markers?ready to picket in front of the Vick household(s) and Eagles stadium in staunch protest. Some, however, will feel that he's paid his debt and should be given another chance to prove that he does love dogs, as he has claimed many times.

What do YOU think?
Dr. Will
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MSettle78 replied to beanie_gene's response:
Michael Vick not only FAUGHT his dogs but he put his female dogs on Rape stands to breed, and when he had a litter of pups if they wouldnt fight he would eletric shock them, drown them, or "THROW THEM AGAINST THE FLOOR TILL THEY DIED" he killed dogs because they werent agressive. This I know Read it in a article he did. HE says hes sorry blah blah blah , If you can do that to a animal there is nothing to forgive. You have something wrong with you to do that. As a owner of a pitbull and also I am a HUGE pitbull advocate I cant stand this man and NO he should NOT be allowed to own another dog
 
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An_221167 replied to MSettle78's response:
michael vick is a horrible human being. The only reason he is still making news is that he is such a big money maker. He does not know what to tell his daughter as to why they cannot own a dog. Well, maybe he should tell her what daddy did. Michael Vicks makes a tremendous amount of money. He received millions in back pay due to a law suit that he won against the league. Has he contributed to legitimate animal charities that assist with dogs and their wellbeing? I have not heard him doing any of that. I mean a lot of money since he has so much even though he claims bankruptcy. We are the voices for animals since they cannot speak themselves. The answer is No.. Michael will never be able to make up for the horrible things that he did in the name of making money off of dogfighting. By the way, he is still on probation and he could go back to a prision in virginia if he doesn't do the "right thing". Is this just a request to have a dog to look like he has rehabilitated? He does not desserve any dog ever!!!!!
 
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An_221168 responded:
Michael Vick should NEVER EVER be able to own another animal! If any of us regular folks had done this what he did to those poor animals, we'd still be in jail. The only reason he is sorry for his crimes is that he got caught & shame on the NFL for not banning him for life!
 
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jrosario10 responded:
I think ANYONE who could harm a defenseless animal should NEVER be alowed to own one EVER again. I think he got is "SECOND" chance by being able to return to the football field and play football. As far as animals (dogs) go, do they have a chance for a SECOND chance? No they are DEAD!! He should just be thankful for what the good lord has provided for him and move on!
 
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jwirthjr responded:
Vick served his time, is currently visiting scools teaching youngsters about cruelty to animals. He has repeatly admitted he aligned himself with the wrong people and made a terrible mistake. He has earned a second chance.
 
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GallopingGirll responded:
Images of electrocution of a wet dog who lost a fight will not leave my mind when I remember the charges. Let him get a pet rock that he cannot hurt in a moment of anger or disappointment.
 
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lcbonilla responded:
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!
Some of the dogs that Michael Vick did own are now living at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah. He was supposed to pay for their upkeep for the rest of their lives. Then, of course, he filed for bankruptcy! Now that he is back playing football and making more money than he has a right to, he doesn't have to pay Best Friends any money at all for those dogs. (They will of course, have a safe home for the rest of their lives, no matter what he does!). Why should he be able to own another animal? He should be paying for the ones he already owned and tortured! Allowing him to own another PET would be a travesty! He should be required to pay for what he did for the rest of his life!!!!
 
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tamburitzan responded:
ABSOLUTELY NOT!!
That would be like giving a firearm to a armed robber
 
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tpb2018 responded:
I do not believe he should ever be allowed to own another dog. The brutality and lack of concern over the animals he previously owned should be more than enough to prevent him from being allowed to own any animals. I feel for his children not being able to have a pet, but that falls back on Vick. He may have paid his debt to society by serving time in prison, but has not paid his debt to humanity. The brutality of his actions should continue to follow him the rest of his life.
 
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mobo79 responded:
I am torn. What MV did and allowed to be done in the past to the dogs he owned is unconscionable. There is absolutely NO excuse for any of it.
I don't know if anyone can really determine if, or how his "rehab" and prison time afftected his attitude and future behavior in pet ownership. By some of his most recent decisions and in several interviews, I have my doubts about how "changed" he really it. Being more successful, determined, focused on the playing field in my books is not a valid measure of his changed character overall.
On the other hand, those of us who own dogs or love animals know how they can help change a person, to be better, to heal, to care and be gentle, to love, etc. All these things MV would benefit from.
The question is trust. Do I trust him with a pet? Nope - He's got more work to do.
 
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FatherDan responded:
I would not allow Vick to ever have another dog.

He may indeed be rehabilitated, but were I to be the one making the decision on whether Mr. Vick can have another dog, I simply would not take the chance.

It wasn't just the dog fighting, but the way dogs who failed to make the grade as fighters were treated. It was barbaric.

Would we allow a parent who killed his or her children intentionally the right to adopt a child. I think not. Why should it be different for dogs?
 
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rsmscooter responded:
no no no no no no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IMEAN NO
 
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michael2b responded:
A common misunderstanding is Vick served time for animal cruelty. He served time for interstate gambling. The cruelty charges were plea bargained. ( million dollar lawyers are good for that)
 
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wwjd4myangels responded:
I honestly think Vick should never be allowed near an animal of any kind ever!!!! Here is this person that abused and killed dogs and look at what little time he got. It certainly wasn't enough that's for sure. Should he be able to have a dog? NO not now not ever....This man is making millions of dollars and I think he should be scooping up dog poop for the rest of his life not living it up like he is. I don't even watch the Eagles play anymore because of him. He makes me sick. He should be in prison and go out on work detail scooping dog poop for the rest of his days...Yep that's a good punishment for him...


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