Why I Support Michael Vick Owning a Dog Again.

After a respectful and short debate with Waylon, this is the counter point to his article against Vick owning a dog.

Thank you to NFL Fanhouse for the following quote:

“I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process. I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love, and my passion for animals.”

He is clearly talking the talk.  He is working with the Humane Society and acting as a spokesman for their End Dog fighting campaign.  He is being mentored by Tony Dungy, one of the classiest people to ever be a part of the NFL (this is coming from a Pats fan).  Dungy believes that Vick is focused on changing himself. This is a huge endorsement and really sets a level of credibility that Vick is having trouble earning.

Everyone deserves a second chance and this is the time for Michael Vick to prove it.  It will be three years after he was sent to prison for dog fighting charges.  I do not believe that this is too soon.  He has spent the last two  years thinking about what he has done.  Since he has gotten out of prison he is constantly speaking to schools about dog fighting.  He is doing a lot for this movement.  As much as it pains me sometimes athletes are clearly listened to.

We cannot possibly say we have faith in our system of rehabilitation if we cannot let Michael Vick have a second chance at owning a dog.

We also cannot believe that a person can change if we refuse to give him a second chance.  What better way to prove you have changed than to put yourself in a similar situation and do it differently.  This could be the chance of a lifetime for a dog who may have been a victim of dog fighting or something equally terrible.  I know what he did was horrific, I will not try to play down the pain and suffering he put these dogs through.

I know the saying goes ‘fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me’ but I do not think we will be fooled again.  I know we heard him clearly deny fighting and killing dogs practically on the eve of signing the most lucrative contract in NFL history.

Here is a video for those who don’t like reading:

Thank you to Lehigh Valley Live for the featured image.