Why are we celebrating Michael Vick?

EDITORIAL BY: ALICIA ROSE WILLIAMS Founder, Eunoia Rescue

As I’m sure you’ve seen in the news… Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick served as the NFL’s honorary captain for the 2020 NFL Pro Bowl on January 26th. So what’s the big deal and what does that have to do with dog lovers like you and me? In 2007, Vick served 18 months in federal prison after confessing his participation in illegal dog fighting, the killing of dogs and operating a business enterprise that involved illegal gambling under the name of “Bad Newz Kennels.” Understandably, thousands of people have signed a petition requesting that the NFL remove Vick as Pro Ball captain.

I have waited quite some time to voice my opinion about the Michael Vick situation. While I’m a firm believer in second chances there’s just something about honoring a person who committed, allowed and profited from such violent acts towards animals that doesn’t sit well with me.

He was known to cut lips, crop ears, and trim tails so that the dogs looked more aggressive. Dog that didn’t perform to his fighting standards were killed. Many dogs were killed by electrocution; their ears were clamped by jumper cables and they were thrown into a pool of water. Other dogs were shot, drowned, hung and slammed into the ground until death. Family pets were thrown into the fighting ring and killed for the enjoyment of Vick and other bystanders. Treadmills for conditioning the dogs as well as a “rape stand” (a device in which a female dog who is too aggressive to submit to males for breeding is strapped down with her head in a restraint) were found on the premises. One dog was found with every single tooth pulled out of her head. Several of the dogs were described as “pancake dogs” - meaning that they were so traumatized, they would flatten themselves on the ground and trembled when humans approached. These are just the forerunners of the atrocities that Vick and others at Bad Newz Kennels committed.

Vick claimed that he never visited the property and blamed family members for the dogfighting enterprise. However, after three co-conspirators of Bad Newz Kennels began cooperating with authorities and pled guilty, Vick decided to follow suit. Vick spent 18 months in prison and then spent the final two months of his sentence with an electronic ankle monitor in his luxury home. His electronic ankle monitor was removed on July 20, 2009. On July 27, 2009, just seven days after his federal incarceration ended, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated Vick into the NFL and he was hired to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. In September 2010, the Philadelphia Eagles named Vick as the team’s starting quarterback.

Many argue that Vick was only prosecuted because of his fame; most first time offenders would have gotten off with a fine for $500. As a worker of animal welfare, I can say that this is true. Yes, animal cruelty isn’t something that the law takes seriously and any other person would probably be “let off.” Yet, any other ex-felon wouldn’t have been going back to a base salary of $1.6 million just one week after release. Any other ex-felon would have to jump through hoops just to even be considered at a minimum wage job.

The Humane Society of the United States has also pardoned Vick for his past actions (the pardon was given after he allegedly gave the organization a $50,000 “grant”). This pardon baffles me. As the founder of a rescue myself, I would absolutely refuse any donation amount from anyone connected to such an outrageous crime. The HSUS has since backed off this position and is no longer working with Michael Vick.

I’m also flabbergasted that Vick is now a proud owner of a Belgian Malinois. Can someone please explain why a convicted dog killer can so easily obtain a dog, yet a law abiding homosexual has difficulty obtaining a marriage license? It’s mind boggling.

Lastly, Michael Vick serving as the NFL’s honorary Pro Bowl captain is a slap in the face to animal welfare. What kind of example is set by giving Vick such a high status? Some may believe “Michael Vick lead a dog fighting ring and is now in the spotlight, so I can lead a dog fighting ring and be just fine.” It’s sick. If we can’t hold someone who did something so gruesome accountable for their actions, how are we supposed to tackle simpler offenses? How do we make Donna Lee responsible for her puppy mills? How do we hold Brad Parker responsible for his PetLand scandal? How do we make stronger tethering laws? The answer: WE CAN’T. Normalizing one heinous crime sets a new, lesser standard for society.

I believe Jamie FitzGerald said it best: “The bottom line is this – When you make a conscious decision to torture another living creature simply for your own amusement, you have crossed a line that can never be uncrossed. When you make the conscious decision to summarily execute by means most foul those creatures who failed to properly amuse you while you were torturing for money, you have lost your seat at the banquet that is America’s celebrity bounty.” ■

Alicia Rose Williams, Editorial Columnist for Lowcountry Dog Magazine