PETA's Statement on Eagles Vick Signing August 14, 2009

Posted by Marta at August 14, 2009 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 33 ) | TrackBack

PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Philadelphia Eagles have chosen to sign a man who hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables, held them underwater until they drowned in his swimming pool, and even threw his own family dogs into the fighting pit to be torn to shreds while he laughed. What sort of message does this send to young fans who care about animals and don't want to see them be harmed?

PETA certainly hopes that Vick has learned his lesson and feels truly remorseful for his crimes—but since he's given no public indication that that's the case, only time will tell. At this point, all Eagles fans can do is cross their fingers and hope that they won't ever have to explain to their sons and daughters what a "rape rack" is and why their favorite player was using one, as Falcons fans once had to.

Michael Vick Released From Prison May 20, 2009

Posted by Ryan at May 20, 2009 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 11 ) | TrackBack

alltalksports / CC

As you may have heard, Michael Vick was released from prison early this morning, after less than two years behind bars. He's now headed back to Hampton, Virginia, where he'll serve the final two months of his sentence under house arrest.

In January, after a U.S. Department of Agriculture report on Vick's dogfighting activities revealed that Vick had enjoyed placing family pets in the ring with the pit bulls he'd bred, raised, and trained to fight, PETA called on the NFL Commissioner to require that Vick undergo a full psychological evaluation before any decisions were made about the future of his football career.

Until Michael Vick undergoes the rigorous psychiatric tests now available to determine his ability to experience remorse, there's no way to establish whether he will reoffend. Someone who trained dogs to torture and kill one another for sport, who drowned and hanged dogs who wouldn't fight, and who laughed while watching his own family dogs fight for their lives as they were maimed and finally killed does not deserve to be rewarded with a multimillion-dollar contract or be given the privilege to serve as a role model to millions of children. PETA will not take anything off the table when it comes to any team or league that may sign Michael Vick.

In the meantime, PETA has increased our efforts to get other athletes on board to speak out against dogfighting. Houston Rockets forward Ron Artest, mixed martial arts fighter Tito Ortiz, and world welterweight champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley, who shot an anti-dogfighting ad for PETA this week, have all spoken out against this cruel and illegal blood sport.

Is Michael Vick a Clinically Diagnosable Psychopath or a Reformed Dogfighter? January 21, 2009

Posted by Marta at January 21, 2009 1:57 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Today, PETA sent a letter to the National Football League asking that convicted dogfighter Michael Vick be subjected to a psychological test as well as an MRI brain scan like the one now in use at the Western New Mexico Correctional Facility in order to look for evidence of clinical psychopathy or anti-social personality disorder. Based on the fact that Vick funded and participated in a massive dogfighting operation (playing a direct role in hanging, drowning, or shooting countless dogs—and even slamming dogs to the ground to break their backs), it might seem obvious that there's something wrong with the guy. But whether or not Vick is indeed a clinical psychopath is an important piece of a bigger puzzle.

clevelandleader / CC
For the past 18 months, PETA has been meeting with Vick's management and legal teams behind the scenes about having Vick deliver a strong anti-dogfighting TV spot. If Vick is truly remorseful for what he's done, as he's said publically and privately, then a message from him telling people to stop these crimes could get through to dogfighters who relate to him. However, that's a big "if."

The only way to know for sure if Vick can change his ways is for him to submit himself for a brain scan and psychological test. Based on a number of factors—such as the fact that the right side of the hippocampus is larger than the left in 94 percent of captured psychopaths—these tests can help determine if Vick can ever truly understand that dog fighting is a sick, cruel business. Or, they could suggest that he's doomed to repeat mean, violent behavior in the future—whether with dogs or other human beings. And given that Vick plans to be around a lot of kids, to give talks to them, and to be a star in their eyes again, the world deserves to know who he is inside.

Vick's lawyers have run screaming, but unless and until he passes such a test, PETA will not participate in the production of a Michael Vick anti-dogfighting PSA. We hope that the NFL will require such a test as a precondition to even discussing the possibility of Vick's reinstatement. You can click here to add your name to a petition calling on the NFL to stick to its guns and maintain Vick's suspension until he's taken and passed a brain scan and psychological evaluation.

Michael Vick Finally Gets Sentenced December 10, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi at December 10, 2007 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 25 ) | TrackBack

Michael Vick was finally sentenced on federal charges, and we are pleased with the strong punishment handed down in this dogfighting case. It's good to know that this cruelty is seen as a serious crime! Michael Vick has been sentenced to 23 months in prison for financing a dogfighting ring and for his part in the killing of pit bulls who did not fight aggressively. He also received three years' probation. Thousands of others involved in this underground world of violence and callousness need to learn a lesson from this very public case.

Other than the federal punishment, though, the state level trial is still pending so we want to really demand vigorous state prosecution now!

Respectfully remind The Honorable Gerald G. Poindexter, Commonwealth Attorney, that a vigorous prosecution of this and any cruelty case—and the pursuit of serious penalties against animal abusers upon conviction—is in the best interests of the county's human and animal residents and sends the message that the defenseless must be safeguarded and that cruelty will not be tolerated. Call on Mr. Poindexter to ensure that dogfighters receive the maximum penalties, including incarceration; a permanent prohibition on having ownership, custody, or control of animals (as is allowed by state law); and any necessary psychiatric intervention. Take action by sending a letter here.

Thank you for all you've helped to accomplish so far, and we look forward to working with everyone to further call out all the cowards who think they look tough by fighting animals!

-Pulin

Posted by Pulin

PETA Schools Michael Vick October 2, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi at October 2, 2007 3:22 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBack

You may not believe it, but it's true. Confessed dogfighter and former football star Michael Vick recently spent some time at PETA headquarters to take our "Developing Empathy for Animals" course to learn some basic facts about why what he did to those dogs was so wrong.

To start off, we explained that PETA still believes he should serve jail time and have a lifetime ban on contact with animals, despite his willingness to learn about the importance of these issues. Taking this one course doesn't get him off the hook. Nevertheless, during his visits to our office, Vick learned about the connections between violence towards animals and that of people, watched The Rev. Al Sharpton's gruesome KFC video, and studied the ways in which all animals are individuals who deserve to be treated with compassion and respect.

Michael Vick offered an apology to PETA and to "everyone" for "what I have done to dogs." A few days after this visit, Vick came back to our office to take a test to confirm that the very basic lessons about animals we taught him actually did sink in—and he passed. And while we're by no means BFF with Vick now—we still believe he should go to jail for a long time—we hope his colossal mistakes will serve as a lesson to all those out there who are in similar situations.

Let it be clear that cruelty to animals is never acceptable and those who are involved in dogfighting and other atrocious acts of violence should immediately stop.

Just as Michael Vick is now being forced to think about cruelty to animals through the "Developing Empathy for Animals" course, we hope everyone will stop and think about the daily choices we all make. Whether an animal is abused for our tastebuds, entertainment, or lip gloss, there is no place for such cruelty in any civilized society.

Please join PETA and ask the NFL to require all of their players to attend PETA's "Developing Empathy for Animals" course.

And please share this information with your friends and family.
-Pulin

Posted by Pulin

Vick Indicted by State Grand Jury September 25, 2007

Posted by Marta at September 25, 2007 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

I live in Virginia, and my apartment and office are not far from where the horrifying acts of cruelty occurred at the hands of Michael Vick and his friends.

Prosecutors announced today that a Virginia grand jury indicted Michael Vick and three co-defendants on state dogfighting charges. The Atlanta Falcons' former star quarterback is charged with one count of unlawfully torturing and killing dogs and one count of promoting dogfights.

These charges come in the wake of a federal indictment and Vick's plea agreement with federal prosecutors, agreeing to plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges involving illegal dogfighting.

With the football season underway, it's crucial that those concerned with animal protection keep this issue in the spotlight and pressure the NFL to include cruelty to animals in its personal conduct policy. Please click here to contact NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Americans sure do love football, but we love dogs even more!

-Pulin

The Latest Cool Stuff From peta2 August 27, 2007

Posted by Marta at August 27, 2007 5:15 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack

Check out all the cool stuff below!

Fall Out Boy and Cobra Starship Gabe from Cobra Starship picks the brain of Fall Out Boy's Andy in a brand-new peta2 video interview. Check it out, and enter to win the actual camera from the shoot and unseen footage!

Play the New Super Chick Sisters Game! Colonel Sanders has kidnapped Princess Pamela Anderson! Fight your way through five action-packed levels of Kentucky-fried madness to rescue her in this free game spoofing Super Mario Bros.

Take Action Against Dogfighting NFL quarterback Michael Vick has accepted a deal to plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges involving illegal dogfighting. Tell the NFL that animal abusers deserve suspension.

Lamb of God: The New Animal Control These guys have some strong words for David Novak (the CEO of KFC's parent company, Yum! Brands)—and a harsh warning for all animal abusers.

DIY Chick! Have any of your DIY projects starred the Nugget? Show off your reconstructed tees, totes, armbands, and anything else you crafty folks have come up with here!

Shawn Harris of The Matches Meet The Matches' Shawn Harris backstage at The Bamboozle, and find out why he became the vegan he is today.

Calling All MySpace Bloggers Here's your chance to earn a bunch of Street Team points and educate your friends—all for writing about the top 8 reasons that peta2 is in your MySpace Top 8!

See What's Up!

Win Brand-New, Signed Aiden Gear!

Charlie Thomas Skateboard Giveaway!

Improper Clothing Contest

FREE stuff over here!

♥ Marta

NFL Has Sacked Vick August 24, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi at August 24, 2007 6:55 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 3 ) | TrackBack

Great news! The NFL has finally suspended Michael Vick indefinitely. This is following his own admission of guilt when he entered his plea today. Now urge the NFL to add cruelty to animals—in all its forms—to its personal conduct policy. We need them to hear from as many people as possible!

-Pulin

Posted by Pulin

Victory: Nike Suspends Vick Contract July 27, 2007

Posted by Pulin Modi at July 27, 2007 6:16 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 38 ) | TrackBack

Following PETA protests outside Niketown stores and countless calls and emails to the company asking that they cut ties with Michael Vick in light of horrific allegations of his involvement with dogfighting rings, Nike has released the following statement:

"Nike has suspended Michael Vick's contract without pay, and will not sell any more Michael Vick product at Nike-owned retail at this time."

As a result, we have called off our planned protests outside Nike stores around the country. Thanks to everyone who wrote to the company about this issue or attended the demonstrations, and thanks to Nike for doing the right thing by ending its association with someone accused of torture.

Reebok has also made the decision to stop sales of Michael Vick apparel, stating:

"While we respect the legal process we find the allegations against Mr. Vick too disturbing to ignore, therefore, we have decided to immediately suspend selling Vick NFL product, both at retail and online through the Reebok website."

This is great news for anyone who is concerned about cruelty to animals, and we hope that it sends a strong message to the NFL that they need to do the same thing and suspend Michael Vick immediately, pending the outcome of this case. To send a message to the NFL asking them to get on with that, please click here.



<a title="dog fighting" href=" http://getactive.peta.org/campaign/p2_nfl_vick?c=p22487"><img src="http://www.peta.org/actioncenter/images/webbanners/200-dogfighter-peta2.gif" alt="Dog Fighting" height="200" width="200" border="0"></a>

-Pulin

Posted by Pulin

Sign the Petition Against Dogfighting! July 18, 2007

Posted by Marta at July 18, 2007 3:16 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 47 ) | TrackBack

Dogfighting is disgusting. It's horrifying that some people actually bet money to see dogs injure—and sometimes even kill—each other. In case you didn't hear about the craziness a little while back, 66 dogs and dogfighting paraphernalia were seized from Atlanta Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick's property.

This morning, in the wake of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's indictment on charges related to dogfighting, all of his corporate sponsors, Falcons CEO Arthur Blank, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell received a joint letter from hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, civil rights leader The Rev. Al Sharpton, and PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk roundly condemning dogfighting and other forms of violence.

workingpitbull/CreativeCommons

A dogfight is a cruel activity in which two dogs are forced to fight for the sake of human entertainment and profit. These dogs are abusively trained to be aggressive. Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It's a felony offense in all but two states—Idaho and Wyoming—where it's a misdemeanor. Because dogfighting is a felony in most states, dogfighting rings are difficult to infiltrate and are run by extremely dangerous people.

We need your help! Spread the word about dogfighting, and get everyone you know to join Russell Simmons, The Rev. Al Sharpton, and Ingrid Newkirk in signing the statement that dogfighting must be rejected in our local communities. The statement calls on people not only to condemn Michael Vick for his alleged participation in this illegal activity but also to work to end dogfighting in our local communities.

Remember, as the statement says, "Our battle must extend to those innocent animals who literally have no voice or choice."

♥ Marta