Michael Vick declines invitation to see eight of his former dogs

OAKLAND, CA -- A Bay Area pit bull advocacy group says Michael Vick has declined an invitation to visit eight of his former dogs this weekend when the Philadelphia Eagles are in town to play the Oakland Raiders.

The group BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls) told The Associated Press on Wednesday that it extended the invitation through the Eagles to Vick last week to view his former dogs that were part of the dog fighting operation at Bad Newz Kennels in southeastern Virginia.

BAD RAP co-founder Tim Racer said the group picked a location that would have allowed Vick to view the dogs from behind a window at a distance that satisfied the conditions of his parole that bar him from being near animals.

Racer said the Eagles informed him Wednesday that Vick would decline the offer. An e-mail sent to an Eagles spokesman was not immediately returned.

"We understand Vick is trying to right his wrongs and is very interested in redemption, but you can't find redemption without acknowledging your victims," Racer said. "Making amends to the dogs themselves would have helped to create some closure for many of us, especially those people who worked so hard to keep them from being destroyed. It seems that Vick is not ready to go there."

Oakland-based BAD RAP absorbed 10 of Vick's dogs into its foster program after being given permission from the federal government to evaluate and rescue as many of the dogs as possible.

Comments

[Zissy]

this doesn't surprise me because he doesn't feel like he's done anything wrong.

[KinKStar]

Thanks to BAD RAP for doing what you do, for helping to educate people about all breeds of dogs - especially the so-called Bully Breeds!

Now thank you for stepping forward and giving Michael Vick this opportunity. It shows you are willing to share the incredible joy that is life with a dog - especially those tortured souls, with a man who didn't care to feel it. Perhaps you have a wee bit of appreciation for the opportunity his horrific acts GAVE YOU in furthering your own efforts, since those dogs came into YOUR life! You have done a great job and service for the breed.

Perhaps he will accept the offer in time. We will not know his feelings OR feel his pain UNTIL he shows some. He has to do a hella bunch of work - to make all he did, and allowed to be done to living beings right with the universe. Untimately, it's NOT OUR call. I wish him well.

[Judy Grey]

I'm glad he declined the offer, because it would have been an empty gesture, a publicity stunt. He never cared about the dogs, why pretend now?

[L.A. Presas]

He never saw the dogs as creatures with value and I doubt that that has changed. It's ironic really that a man of color could so easily mistreat and dismiss other living things because he saw them as 'things' undeserving of respect and dignity, not unlike the treatment of men and women brought to this country as slaves.

[Janet Brown]

Thank you, BAD RAP! Keep up the great work and kiss those dogs for me!

[c]

that low life has no feelings and never will. He should be banned from football and live on an island with hungry dogs.Let him fight for his life. don't know how his team mates could be near him.the guy is a sad case and could use help.

[raine]

Concerning the Michael Vick situation, I have a comment for all of the concerned citizens. It is more about economics and class than anything. If the sport involves animals that are harmed, it is okay depending on the sport. Cock fighting and dog fights are frowned upon because the participants initiating the activities are either low-wealth or minorities. To prove my point, I don't hear anyone speaking up for the horses that get the crap beat out of them to win a race. Check out the participants, the majority of the participants are making six figures and some. Is anyone trying to save the horses from the abuse they suffer at the hands of the Jockey? I have proved my point.

[Mary]

Dear Raine...You should educate yourself more before making comments like that. There are in fact groups to stop abuse for greyhounds and horses which is why there are rescues and groups advocating the stop of these practices. It is not about color, as there ARE black, brown, etc horse riders and greyhound racers. Therefore, please don't start trying to say that the Vick case is discrimination....because didn't he make a 6 figure salary before he was caught? I think my point has been proven.

[Neron]

I am completely against dog fighting, or any other "sport" that involves the abuse of animals, however, I think Michael Vic should be left alone. He is already on probation and not permitted around animals. An example has been made of him. Its time to leave him alone, and BAD RAP should not have created this public incident for further publicity.

[mo11yb1ue]

Michael Vick is a fair target for anyone who is offended by his egregious behavior in regards to the dogs who died because of him. He should suffer for AT LEAST seven years for each dog who died.....now, how many years is that?

[Roger Cotterman]

He had no intention of seeing those dogs, he was only doing it for the publicity.
Personally he could rot in hell as far as I am concerned, he personally murdered dogs with his bare hands. The same hands that shake the hands of fans at stadiums across the country.
I would never allow my child or grandchild to shake hands with a villan, who is in the same class as Bundy and Dahmer.

[how to stop a dog from jumping]

I am truly concerned about the reaction when he declined the offer, but in the other way i'm grateful that he decline it.

[Sandra]

Vick never acknowledged the pain and suffering he caused those poor dogs. He just cried and pitied himself because of his sad circumstances in life. Disgusting. He is not repentant and doesn't deserve a second chance in the NFL. If he truly felt anything about what he did, he'd be spending every dime he makes to support rescue. Selfish, indulged murderer - that's what he is.