Their earlier statements on the matter -- like this one -- were full of mealy-mouthed platitudes, but the ASPCA came out swinging today on the subject of Michael Vick. So here we present another chapter in my ongoing saga, "This is how an animal welfare organization should talk about Michael Vick":
Several months ago, Mr. Vick's PR representatives approached the ASPCA to help educate America about the heinous act of dog fighting following his release from prison. We were the first animal welfare organization given the opportunity to work with Mr. Vick but immediately turned him down due to the unique knowledge we had of his indescribable and barbaric acts of animal cruelty where he and his associates savagely electrocuted and beat dogs to death after they lost their brutal fights.
The ASPCA's general consultation and our specific role in processing the forensic evidence in this case were key elements that resulted in Mr. Vick and the three other defendants all pleading guilty to felony crimes. As such, this organization and I personally have seen the acts of cruelty committed by Mr. Vick first hand -- acts so heinous that the public has never laid witness to them. And now that Mr. Vick has spoken out for the first time since his release from prison, the ASPCA wants to make clear why this organization chose not to partner with him in his supposed rehabilitation efforts. We are simply not convinced that Mr. Vick has demonstrated compassion toward animals as living beings or the necessary remorse for his criminal actions against them.
60 Minutes provided a convicted criminal a national platform to selfishly focus on his own recovery when, in fact, the animals, the victims who cannot speak for themselves, should have received the attention. CBS did a grave disservice to the animal welfare community by failing to show the ugly truth of Mr. Vick's actions and the horrors of dog fighting and animal cruelty in this country. The continued attention paid to Mr. Vick is only reinforcing that criminal behavior does not destroy fame and fortune.
You can read their (admirable albeit tardy) full statement here -- and kudos to the A for not sending this out via email until it was available on the Web for linking. I wish more folks looking for bloggage were so savvy!
Photo: Leo, one of the Vick dogs, now a therapy dog.
I think they read your blog post and changed course. :)
Also, Pet Connection BFF Dr. Patty Khuly writes on the subject of Sick Vick in today's USA Today.
Posted by: Gina Spadafori | 20 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
A local story of a guy who killed his SO's little dog to "punish" the SO for caring more about the dog, got *3 years* in jail. Meanwhile, MV gets 18 months, serves less, and gets to go back to the NFL? Amazing.
Posted by: Janet Boss | 20 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
Better late than never, I guess. Good for them.
Posted by: Susan Fox | 20 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
I'm glad they spoke out. It could be they delayed a bit to see where he really stood in the remorse and compassion dept
"We are simply not convinced that Mr. Vick has demonstrated compassion toward animals as living beings or the necessary remorse for his criminal actions against them."
I wasn't buying his act but felt he really lost it when he referred to his actions/dog fighting as a "pointless activity". WTF?! Guess he went off script a bit. . . .
Posted by: straybaby | 20 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
I don't agree, Anne. They made previous statements, one of which I linked to right up there, that were exactly as lame as the other organizations'.
Posted by: Christie Keith | 21 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
Of all the major organizations, ASPCA in spite of their exposure on AP or maybe because of it, seems the least offensive of the 3. There seems to be a genuine interest in the animals, and working with the owners whenever possible to accomplish a favorable outcome for whatever motive. You don't see the ASPCA running ads equating fat women, whales and becoming vegan.
I don't think their statement about Vick was late, I think it was thoughtful and effectively timed. They weighed the evidence, waited for the immediate sound bites to die down, and came out wit the strongest statement of the big names to date, bringing the Vick issue back into the blog/forum/list spotlight.
Posted by: Anne T | 21 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
I've seen some dog fight video on one of the animal cops shows and agree some footage should be prominently posted.
I don't think most people, including the apologist sports nuts, have any idea what really goes on in a staged dog fight. They probably think it's like if two dogs get into it at a dog park. It happens. Big deal.
Not.
Posted by: Susan Fox | 21 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
It's a whole world better than their first lame-butt effort. But I am so freaking tired of the "it's just an animal"..."they're just dogs" attitude Vick apologists are copping, that if there is gruesome evidence, the ASPCA should post it. For once, take a page out of PETA's handbook. Publish the blood and the gore. The vast majority of these jerks have never seen a dogfight and couldn't stomach one. They should have a look.
Posted by: Susan | 21 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
Thanks so much for posting our Leo's best pic with his clown collar! We are so proud of him! He's a good ole soul.
Here's what Our Pack had to say when Vick was reinstated.
http://packrescue.blogspot.com/2009/07/vick-reinstated-but-dont-worry-leo.html#links
Posted by: Our Pack | 21 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
I agree with Susan on this one. Publish the gore. For once, it won't be gratuitous, but a glaring light shining on this intentional, malicious evil that was engaged in by a heartless, cruel person who does not deserve to be called a man. Let the ugliness of his acts burn itself into the minds of everyone who sees them so they can't allow his lame-ass "apologies" to cover them up. The ONLY two things Vick is sorry for are that he got caught and that he had to serve jail time. He is scum of the lowest kind. And shame on all the people and organizations that are buying into his act and supporting him in this very public fraud. I'd like to put them ALL in a cage, naked and smeared with gravy, and let a pack of hungry pit bulls loose on their sorry selves. No mercy for those who show none.
Posted by: Mary | 21 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
Seems to me that IF Vick is a changed man (and I sincerely doubt that) then his first "mission" would be to address those in Philadelphia who are doing horrific things to pitties (from BadRap) and speak out to those who are torturing and killing dogs. Haven't heard a word from him, though . . . guess MV is too busy giving interviews and working with his media coaches. This whole thing is just so, so wrong.
Posted by: catmom5 | 21 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
ETA - I meant that I read about the torture on BadRap, not that they are dogs from BadRap. Sorry if I was not clear.
Posted by: catmom5 | 21 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
I'm still reeling about how fast it was for Vick to get reinstated and then sign a contract with a major NFL team once he got out. Even my husband, a big NFL football fan and a season-ticket holder for the Atlanta Falcons, thought he would have trouble getting a contract with an NFL team. Boy, he was wrong.
Before seeing the 60 Minutes interview, I wondered if they would also have some folks on who saw and processed the evidence of Michael Vick's operation first hand so that that could be shared with the public as well. I was profoundly disappointed, of course. It was all about Vick and only Vick and almost nothing about the unspeakable cruelty that he perpetrated.
Posted by: Sara Jo | 22 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
Michael Vick is a criminal--pure and simple. He has been schooled to say the right things to convince the public that he is a changed man. It is an insult to our intelligence. Let him put his money where his mouth is. Let him hire lobbyists to bombard Washington to create and pass laws that make puppy mills illegal and subject their owners to felony charges with mandatory prison sentences. I doubt if he will ever do this!!!
Posted by: Pat | 23 August 2009 at 08:00 PM
Protesters will be at the Eagles Jaguar game tonight
http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pets/Animal_lovers_to_protest_tailgate_before_Eagles_game.html
Posted by: Original Lori | 26 August 2009 at 08:00 PM