PETA's Statement on Eagles Vick Signing August 14, 2009
Posted by Marta at August 14, 2009 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 33 ) | TrackBack
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Michael Vick dogfighting NFL Eagles
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
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Michael Vick dogfighting NFL jail
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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 ) | TrackBackToday, 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.
Top Five Vegetarian-Friendly NFL Stadiums December 1, 2008
Posted by Ryan at December 1, 2008 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBackAre you ready for some soybeans!?!?! That's right football fans: midway through the NFL season, peta2 is letting you know where you can get your veggie eats while you watch grown men try to kill each other over an oblong ball. I'd like to say I'm writing this as a public service to you, the readers—but really I just needed something to distract me from the year of pain that is a Patriots season without Tom Brady. I present to you: peta2's Top Five Veg-Friendly NFL Stadiums.
Drum roll please...
5. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers) - In fifth place is the legendary home of the Green Bay Packers (named, ironically enough, after the area's meatpacking industry), where you can leap after some vegetarian bratwurst and PB&J!Honorable mention for two stadiums also offering great veggie food (and because a "top seven" list just sounds kinda weak):
4. Metrodome (Minnesota Vikings) - Vikes fans can pick up some yummy Gardenburgers, as well as Blimpie's vegetarian sandwiches and salads. Bonus trivia: The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome is actually named after the author of the first humane slaughter bill introduced in Congress.
3. Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles) - Philly might have our veg-friendly baseball stadium prize on lockdown this year, but they're still third from the top on the gridiron, offering veggie dogs and veggie burgers at the home of the Iggles.
2. McAfee Coliseum (Oakland Raiders) - The Bay Area represents with veggie dogs, veggie burgers, baked potatoes, and fruit cups up for grabs at McAfee. Reservations not required; dress is batshit crazy.
1. Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego Chargers) - Our winner Qualcomm dominates the veg-friendly rankings like LT dominates the D-line, offering bean burritos, veggie sushi rolls, vegetable wraps, veggie hot dogs, and Gardenburgers.
Paul Brown Stadium (Cincinnati Bengals) - The Bengals veggie options suck a whole lot less than the team does, with Gardenburgers, hummus & pita bread, and lots of different salads for sale.
FedEx Field (Washington Redskins) - peta2's hometown(-ish) team has delicious black-bean veggie burgers and vegetarian wraps. Shout-out and RIP to our boy Sean Taylor, who supposedly went vegetarian right before he passed away. We miss you.
Happy eating y'all!
PS - What's your take on the Washington Redskins?
PETA Schools Michael Vick October 2, 2007
Posted by Pulin Modi at October 2, 2007 3:22 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 5 ) | TrackBackYou 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
Vick Indicted by State Grand Jury September 25, 2007
Posted by Marta at September 25, 2007 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 0 ) | TrackBack
TAGGED:
Michael Vick dogfighting NFL Atlanta Falcons
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
TAGGED:
Fall Out Boy Michael Vick Cobra Starship NFL Aiden Super Chick Sisters The Matches Lamb of God Charlie Thomas
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! |
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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
TAGGED:
Michael Vick dogfighting dogs NFL pit bulls
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!
Vick To Plead Guilty August 20, 2007
Posted by Pulin Modi at August 20, 2007 5:08 PM | Permalink | Comments ( 1 ) | TrackBackVick has finally admitted his guilt! Michael Vick has reportedly accepted a plea deal—and a likely prison sentence—to avoid additional federal charges related to a professional dogfighting operation, one of his attorneys had told The Virginia-Pilot newspaper.
We're still waiting on the details, but we're happy knowing that if a celebrity with Vick's amount of money and his team of lawyers can't get out of legal trouble (and hopefully can't get out of serving jail time) then anyone else who fights dogs had better head for the hills.
On a more somber note, when Vicks co-defendants entered their plea agreements on Friday some details came out about the dogs being hung. It is pretty chilling stuff, so I give kudos to the media outlets who covered it.
This article by the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, for instance, is very good in a tough to read kinda way. Here's a powerful excerpt:
They were hung from trees in the woods behind Michael Vick's house, eight dogs left there to die, kicking and screaming.The pit bulls had made the mistake of failing the test. They weren't mean enough, quick enough, strong enough in the ring, so they were of no more use to Vick's Bad Newz dogfighting operation.
Imagine, killing a dog because it's just too nice.
Five of the dogs finally kicked their last breaths away as the ropes cut deeper and deeper into their throats. Three somehow clung to life.
Vick and two of his henchmen, growing impatient, cut those three down and one by one shoved their heads into five-gallon buckets filled with water, drowning them to finish them off.
Try keeping your breakfast down after hearing that report on ESPN.
The inhumanity, the callousness, the abuse of these innocent, helpless animals is almost beyond comprehension.
There is something you can do though. PETA is again calling on the NFL to add cruelty to animals— in all its forms— to its "Personal Conduct Policy." This case has clearly shown that NFL fans are just as outraged by cruelty to animals as any of the other antisocial behaviors outlined in the policy. Click here to contact the NFL now!
-Pulin
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