Michael Vick & the Humane Society - [update post 8 - letter response from HS]

[natisha]

The HS wants Vick to work with them as 'more than a spokesman'. Vick's rep. approached the HS to help his image. They want him to talk to others about how bad dog fighting is or some crap.
They have received their last $ from me. Money talks.

[Remali]

Unreal. Vick is NOT sorry for what he did......he's a monster and tortured dogs. What the heck is the HS thinking..... the HS is not going to go forward with this, are they??!!! I still say they should throw Vick to PETA and let them tear him apart.....

[miatapony]

i will not send them HS any more money ever again... nope never.... if he does wow ....

[natisha]

i will not send them HS any more money ever again... nope never.... if he does wow .... Good, I sent the HS a letter stating the same & that I was encouraging others to withhold donations also. There are lots of other animal shelters to give to.

[mare]

The national HSUS and the local humane societies seem to be related in name only. I disagree with the HSUS on a lot of things. When I want to help my local humane society, I take food or give money to the vet they use to be put in an account for their needs.

[JackieB]

The national HSUS and the local humane societies seem to be related in name only.

Correct. They are completely separate entities. There isn't a system where an organization can be a chapter or anything like that.

[mare]

Correct. They are completely separate entities. There isn't a system where an organization can be a chapter or anything like that.

That causes confusion. I would prefer the national organization change their name to something that more closely represents their agenda.

Perhaps if the local groups get squeezed financially, they will take the step to severe the even small ties they have to the national organization.

[natisha]

E-mail from HSUS:

Thank you for sharing your views on Michael Vick. Vick has made a long-term commitment to work with boys and young men at risk of involvement in dogfighting, and The Humane Society of the United States has agreed to allow him to speak to individuals engaged in our End Dogfighting campaign (https://webmail.hsus.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/programs/) – one element of our full-out assault on this despicable industry.

We have not endorsed Vick; we have not enlisted him as a spokesperson for HSUS; and we have not advocated for his return to the NFL or his signing with the Eagles. Rather, just as he paid a million dollars for the care and rehabilitation of the dogs he abused, we believe he should continue to pay with his time – as a form of community service, which many ex-convicts engage in – to help others understand the real cruelty and consequences behind dogfighting.

We continue to battle the scourge of dogfighting on many fronts (https://webmail.hsus.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/taking_down_dogfighting.html). HSUS is the only national animal protection group which has a dedicated unit working to stop dogfighting and cockfighting – we have crafted the nation’s laws on this issue, trained law enforcement personnel, conducted investigations, and changed the national landscape on these issues. If you disagree with us holding Vick accountable and putting him to work with at-risk kids, we sincerely hope that you will support other elements of our program – including a national tip line to report suspected dogfighting in your neighborhood, and a close collaboration with law enforcement authorities to bring the curtain down on organized fighting networks. The dogs who are trapped in the misery of this dead-end business deserve every effort we can give them.

It’s hard to make a definitive judgment about Michael Vick’s sincerity – only the passage of time can give us insight into his thinking. But, for now, we can be certain about his actions. And we believe that Vick’s actions can add something to our effort to eradicate dogfighting – and that’s our goal. When he spoke to at-risk youth in Atlanta and Chicago, the kids were on the edges of their seats. Many of the young men we spoke with said they have seen dogfights in their neighborhood, and when they walk down the street with their pit bulls, other people challenge them to fight their dogs. After hearing Michael Vick’s story, they say they are now going to be advocates against dogfighting, and are going to spread the word to their friends.

That’s the type of grassroots community-based outreach program we need. If Michael Vick reaches one young man and steers him away from dogfighting – or thousands of young men – then that helps our cause, and prevents dogs from being forced to fight. We all know the cruelty that is inherent in this horrid world of staged fights. The HSUS is on the front lines working to end dogfighting forever. We encourage anyone who shares our resolve to stand with us. The HSUS is committed to long-term change. The dogs deserve it.

We encourage you to look at our website to see images of young men and their dogs (https://webmail.hsus.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.hsus.org/acf/news/slideshow_end_dogfighting.html) who have turned away from the culture of dogfighting. We are gaining on this dark underworld, and we won’t rest until it is ended. You, too, can help us in this campaign (https://webmail.hsus.org/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/what_you_can_do.html).

Sincerely,

Wayne Pacelle
President & CEO
The Humane Society of the United States

[WashingtonBay]

Bumping up for response letter...

[miatapony]

i dont know what to think about that letter .. i sent one also so im waiting to see if i recive the same one if i do then i put no faith in this letter so untill i hear a response from mine (if i even get one ?) ...

[JackieB]

I'm willing to give the HSUS the benefit of the doubt on this one. As abhorrent as Vick's actions were, and as skeptical as I am (along with others) about the sincerity of his remorse, the fact is that he does have credibility with the people who are still engaged in/exposed to dogfighting. If he's going to speak at an event, you can bet that nearly every young person in the neighborhood will attend and listen to what he has to say.

I don't see how this can hurt the cause of ending dogfighting. It's not like Michael Vick's association with the HSUS turned him into a hero.

So, I'll accept that this might be helpful in the effort toward ending the awful suffering these magnificent animals experience.

On the other hand, I don't fault anyone who says "Absolutely no way! I don't want to hear from him now, or ever." That's a perfectly reasonable position as well.

[Vacker Hast]

I fully agree with JackieB. I don't feel Vick should have been allowed back into playing in the NFL but speaking to the up-and-coming generation against dog fighting can't hurt and maybe it will actually help.

I don't feel Vick has any remorse other than for himself, not the dogs, but maybe through his speeches a kid with his own dog will touch Vick and he will find some sincere remorse for the animals.

I'm sure the response letter is a cover-all-letter because of all the negative feedback they are getting and having to respond to but it's a well written letter and only time will tell if Vick will do his part in helping stop this torture for future generations. I'm fine with Vick having to tour and speak out about his horrible acts.

Stacy

[zoel_222]

I don't think Michael Vick has any remorse for what he did to those dogs, but I do know he is sorry he got caught. If he's working on this campaign with HSUS to try to end dog fighting, I think that's probably a good thing. I'm sure he could care less about the dogs and is only doing it for the image, but I think he could still help get through to some dog fighters. HSUS preaches about what magnificent animals the dogs are and how much suffering etc they go to which is completely 100% true.... but obviously the dog fighters don't give a rats ass about the dog's feelings or they wouldn't be condemning them to dog fights. Maybe Michael Vick can give a perspective to them about the punishment you get for dog fighting and maybe scare them straight.

I don't know. I'm just thinking out loud :doh:

[outriding01]

I agree with JackieB as well. As messed up as it is, there are people out there who admire him and may very well listen to what he has to say. i completely understand the HSUS's line of thought in this and don't harm in it since I'm certain his word counts for more among the type of people who might engage in dogfighting than some random representative of the HSUS.
Personally, I don't feel qualified to make a judgement on Vick's sincerity and I agree with the HSUS on that as well. There's every chance in the world he is truly sorry, just as there is every chance in the world he doesn't care at all past how if affected him. I do agree that what he did was terrible, disgusting and cowardly, but all I can do is hope that he is sincere in his words and actions and that with time he will make a difference. Because that would be in the best interest of fighting dogs everywhere and I wouldn't hope for anything less, especially as a lover and advocate of pitbulls. He is in a remarkable position to really affect some change right now and I've had enough negativity this past year, so I'm going to put some hope and positivity into it, if only for the sake of the animals.