Survey re: Michael Vick

[luzmery928]

This guy is a real @%^**&(&(…...he should be banned completley. I can't even look at his face without feeling disgusted. The cruelty these poor dogs go through is horrible. I hope he is punished to the fullest extent possible for what he does. You would think with all the money this s.o.b. gets paid he would not need to do this. Obviously he is a sick individual (not that he needs any sympathy, I have none for this sort of thing.)
He gets me worked up!!

[jenwilson]

Link to Petition for Nike to Drop Michael Vick: https://community.hsus.org/campaign/US_2007_dogfighting_nike/wen63ukrod3wkwx?

Link to Petition for NFL Commissioner to ban Michael Vick: https://community.hsus.org/campaign/US_2007_dogfighting_nfl2/wen63ukr4dwdne8?

[barkless513]

:mad: I'm so angry at this guy! Thank you for putting up these links, I hope that he is FIRED from the NFL and prevented from ever owning a pet again. I have heard talk that since this is his 1st violation…he will likely be playing this fall! I don't think that is right, but I did hear it from a NFL league offficial on Nancy Grace, if you all know who Nancy Grace is, then you will know that she had an earfull for this guy! The charges are many pages long..including "Rape Cages" , this is so wrong. Why would someone with a $108 million contract need to do anything illeagel is beyond me. I'm not %100 on that figure, but I know its close. I'm going to check out these links. Thanks again for posting them!

[sharronhurlbut]

You can call them and give you opinion.

Call (212) 450-2000 to urge the NFL to immediately suspend Vick from the league under strong suspicion of criminal activity, and to allow him to play again only if he is pronounced innocent by the courts.

[sharronhurlbut]

Another way to reach out and share about this…......
Here is a way to contact the Atlanta Falcons:

http://www.atlantafalcons.com/About/Contact_Us.aspx

I told them that I would contact their sponsors if they did not suspend Vick pending trial.

Also, I have heard, but not varified, Niki will NOT drop this sponsorship.
So, they will be hearing from me as well.

[ChaseandZahrasmom]

I am ashamed that Michael Vick is from this area (he is from Newport News, VA).

Whatever happened to sports figures being good role models for kids? This guys is disgusting and horrible.

[sharronhurlbut]

Yes, most kids won't read what the penality will be if any for this guy…they will just see that he fights dogs and that is so COOL! NOT
Breaks my heart.

[jenwilson]

Nike
http://www.nike.com/index.jhtml#l=nikestore,grid,_grid,s-conta ct&re=US&co=US&la=EN
(click on ‘email us’)
1-800-806-6453, go to Option#5 and someone will answer and type up your comments regarding Michael Vick's sponsorship

Coca-Cola
www.cocacola.com
click region and language, then click ‘contact us’ at bottom of page

NFL
280 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Commissioner Roger Goodell at (212) 450-2000

Atlanta Falcons
http://www.atlantafalcons.com/About/Contact_Us.aspx
770-96 5-3115

NFL Tells Michael Vick: Stay Home
Published: 7/24/07, 7:45 AM EDT
By GEORGE HENRY
ATLANTA (AP) - NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has weighed in on Michael Vick's indictment on dogfighting charges, and as a result the Falcons star was ordered to stay away from training camp until the league reviews the case.

The other men who could determine the future of Vick's football career - including Falcons owner Arthur Blank - were expected to be speak publicly Tuesday for the first time since the troubled quarterback was indicted.

It could be another pivotal day for Vick, though Goodell has asked Blank to wait for the NFL to finish its investigation before announcing the team's plans for Vick.

In a letter to Vick on Monday, Goodell instructed the Newport News, Va., native to stay away from training camp, at least for now.

"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the personal conduct policy," Goodell said.

Goodell also promised that the league would complete its review quickly, adding that he expected Vick's full cooperation. The NFL wants to speak with federal investigators and prosecutors to learn how strong of a case they have against the 27-year-old.

The Falcons open camp on Thursday, the same day Vick will be arraigned in Richmond, Va. He and three other men face charges of allegedly sponsoring a dogfighting operation and brutal treatment of pit bulls.

Along with Blank, Atlanta's general manager Rich McKay and new coach Bobby Petrino are also expected to speak publicly for the first time about Vick's future and his effect on the team.

Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts said Vick, who is in Virginia, will not attend the news conference.

Vick hasn't commented publicly since the team held a mini-camp in May. None of the phone messages left on his cell phone have been returned. His lawyer, Lawrence Woodward of Newport News, Va., also did not respond to interview requests Monday.

Vick, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, last season became the first quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season. He led the Falcons to an NFC wild-card win 2002, his first season as a starter, and in 2004, Vick's play helped Atlanta reach the conference title game.

The Falcons will pay Vick during his hiatus. NFL veteran players earn $1,100 per week from the beginning of camp until the first week of the regular season.

Vick signed a 10-year contract extension in 2004 worth approximately $130 million. His salary this season is $6 million.

Before Monday, the league, the NFL players' union and the Falcons had yet to make a definitive statement on Vick, each saying they would monitor developments and allow the legal process to "determine the facts."

Since then, pressure has mounted publicly and particularly from animal-rights activists.

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - demonstrated at Falcons' headquarters in Flowery Branch, Ga., on Monday.

While PETA was demonstrating last Friday outside the NFL offices in New York last week, Goodell was meeting with officials from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The league and the ASPCA are working on a program to educate players about the proper treatment of animals.

Activists also pressured companies that have endorsements deals with Vick to sever their ties, and Nike said it would withhold release of a fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer.

Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said the four shoe products and three shirts that currently bear Vick's name will remain in stores.

The Humane Society of the United States has asked the apparel company to sever its relationship with Vick immediately.

Goodell's order came down after several talks with the Falcons and Gene Upshaw, the union's executive director.

In his first year as commissioner, Goodell has acted decisively in using the NFL's new conduct policy, suspended Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Tennessee Titans for the upcoming year and telling Cincinnati's Chris Henry and former Chicago Bears lineman Tank Johnson that they will miss the first eight games in 2007.

Vick's indictment states that several pit bulls at his Surry County home were killed if they weren't strong enough to fight. The federal government says Vick and his associates executed the dogs "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground."

Purses for the fights ranged from hundreds of dollars to the thousands, and participants and spectators often placed side bets on the outcome, according to the indictment

If convicted, Vick and three others charged with him could face up to six years in prison, and $350,000 in fines.

---

AP Football Writer Dave Goldberg contributed to this report

[sharronhurlbut]

I just hope we all keep up the pressure on the sponsor so this fellow doesn't keep the excessive funds he has now.
This man deserves no reward for this type of behavior.
Those poor, poor dogs.

[jenwilson]

Would definately like to see him get some prison time for this. For the life of me, I can't understand HOW someone could hurt an animal. Our furry friends need and _deserve _BETTER than that from the human race. Sad.

[sharronhurlbut]

Oh, my friend who does pit rescue has a site that shows dogs fighting and what happens to them when they lose.
I just can't force myself to watch it. If anyone has the need to see what these dogs go through, I will share it…but its very, very RAW!
Horror + 10.
This guy is suspose to be a roll model to kids.
No way!
WHAT Do the sponsor expect when they hear this has happened and they do nothing...
Please, write and call...I do, 2 times a day...until this is settled.
That can't be allowed to go on.
Poor, poor doggies!

[Vegas]

I don't see how he'll be able to play ball from inside a 10x5 prison cell?

Vegas

[sharronhurlbut]

I hope he sees a cell…with $$$ seems everyone gets off.
But this is just wrong.
We can only share out outrage by voting with our money and not dealing with any company that has this guy onboard.

[sharronhurlbut]

From my BRAT list…sorry if you have seen it.

for those interested below is an update regarding the Atlanta Falconsquarterback dog fighting investigation and link to NEW education materials

Dear ASPCA Members and Supporters:

I wanted to let you know personally that we have just announced that the ASPCA is currently assisting in the federal investigation against Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and three other individuals, who were indicted on July 17 by a federal grand jury in a Virginia dog fighting venture.

At this time, we cannot offer any additional details in order to protect the integrity of this investigation and the ongoing criminal process.

We have also posted new educational materials on animal cruelty at www.aspca.org/cruelty. We’ll be regularly updating this section, so I hope you will bookmark it and visit often. You will find a wealth of information here on animal cruelty, as well as a look at the reprehensible world of dog fighting.

Thank you very much for your support of the ASPCA. It is what enables us to pursue our 141-year-old mission, which is as crucial today as when we were founded in 1866—to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals. Every day, we come one step closer to being a humane community. We could not do it without you.

Sincerely,

Ed Sayres
President and CEO

–---------------------------------------

PLEASE consider supporting the ASPCA, there are ways to support them other than finacially, vist their website www.aspca.org for more info.

[sharronhurlbut]

Survey - Michael Vick Indictment

Over 28,000 people have already voted and I think if we all vote this
can have a serious impact on the behavior of players, the NFL and the
sponsors. So, please take a moment to do this!

They have got to be told this is unacceptable.

Please vote and pass on immediately
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/07/19/polls/index.html

[tanza]

Before donating to any group… make sure that you understand what their mission is... for example HSUS was pro California AB1634 and made no bones about it... and now they are trying to get donations that they claim would be for these dogs... however, in small print it states "The money you donate may not be used on this cause"....

[sharronhurlbut]

Very good advice.
I was more interested in the survey then promoting the $$$.
So, did the California AB1634 fail?
I thought it did…

[tanza]

@sharronhurlbut:

Very good advice.
I was more interested in the survey then promoting the $$$.
So, did the California AB1634 fail?
I thought it did…

It did not fail, it was pull from the committee to be presented at the next session, January 2008

[sharronhurlbut]

Here is another site to visit. They are working to make this "sport" end.

http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/michaelvickdogfighting.html

[jenwilson]

I received an e-mail regarding this:

July 25, 2007 - Dogs Deserve Better, a national nonprofit working to end the suffering endured by dogs kept chained or penned for life, announced today that the group will join the Virginia Voters for Animal Welfare in a rally at the Thursday court appearance for Michael Vick in Richmond, Virginia.

Tammy Grimes, founder of the organization, will make the trip to Richmond for the 3:00 p.m. rally. "This case is too crucial for those of us who fight for humane treatment for dogs to miss, and I implore all those who are in agreement to make the trip. Dog fighting takes our issue to the utmost levels of cruelty imaginable; not only are the dogs short-chained on thick logging chains to build their muscles and frustration, but they are then subjected to horrendous deaths for the enjoyment of sick individuals.

As a rescuer, I've seen my share of unintended dog fights, and I know many rescuers (including myself), who have been bitten trying to break up a fight between two dogs who take a dislike to one another. Those brief moments before you stop the struggle are absolutely terrifying-I cannot imagine actually WANTING dogs to fight, much less allowing it to continue to the death.

While in New Orleans after Katrina, a well-meaning individual put a pit covered in scars into the doggie play area…It took 7 people to pry the trained fighter off the old, shaggy dog; his screams filled the air for what seemed like hours. I will never forget the distress of all those in attendance, all those who cared enough about both dogs to put a stop to the attack.

I implore dog lovers the world over to help us finally end this intensely cruel practice."

Attendees to the rally are asked to meet at 9th and Bank Streets, and wear black business attire in remembrance of the fighting dogs of Surry County. Members of Virginia's General Assembly have been invited, and further information can be obtained from DDB/VVAW member Lisa Hetrick at 804-306-0418.

Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France.

To read Dogs Deserve Better's statement on Michael Vick and dogfighting, go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/michaelvickdogfighting.html.

To read the wrapup of the Unchain the 50 campaign, go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/chainoff2007wrap.html.

To read founder Tammy Grimes 'Diary of a Woman (and Friends) Chained 3", go to http://www.dogsdeservebetter.org/diarychained3.html.

Dogs Deserve Better (www.dogsdeservebetter.org) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization headquartered in Tipton, Pennsylvania, is the 2003 First Place Winner of the ASPCA Pet Protector Award, and currently has over 150 area reps in 38 states as well as in Canada and France