Michael Vick,the untold details......

[bloodsimple1234]

Michael Vick's unpaid dues: Why dog advocates aren't moving on

By Christie Keith, Special to SF Gate
Tuesday, November 3, 2009



When football player Michael Vick made his first post-prison appearance in a Philadelphia Eagles uniform, he got a standing ovation from the hometown crowd. His recent reception in the Bay Area was far cooler -- at last month's game between the Eagles and the Oakland Raiders, he was greeted with protestors, picket signs and a plane flying over the stadium with a banner reading "Dogfighter Go Home!"

But even in the dog-loving Bay Area, Vick had plenty of defenders. "Sooner or later you're going to have to forgive the guy anyway," Charles Wright, a 44-year-old Oakland tow truck driver, told protestors after the game. "You may as well get it out of your system."

Another fan yelled, "Come on, the dude paid his debt to society."
In other words, "move on." But however many times dog lovers hear such advice, they're not getting any closer to taking it. That's because not only has Vick not served one minute in prison for animal cruelty, he was far more cruel to his dogs than most of his defenders seem to realize.

Most people are aware that Michael Vick was "convicted of dog fighting." They know he went to prison, and they've also probably seen the news stories, including a moving Sports Illustrated cover story, about the Vick dogs that were rescued and rehabilitated after being seized from his Bad Newz Kennels.

But that's only part of the story.

"What Michael Vick did was not just dog fighting," said Marthina McClay of Our Pack, a pit bull rescue group in Santa Clara, and the owner of one of the Vick dogs, Leo. "It went so far beyond that, and most people who defend him are uninformed. They don't really realize what Michael Vick did."

If you're one of the people McClay is talking about, let me invite you into Donna Reynolds' nightmare.

Reynolds is the co-founder of Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pitbulls (BAD RAP), an East Bay organization with a national reputation for rescuing and rehabilitating pit bulls. They rehabbed and cared for many of the dogs seized from Vick's Bad Newz Kennels after his arrest in April of 2007.

She's definitely not what you'd call a fragile flower, and she's been working with ex-fighting pits for longer than a lot of the people reading this have been out of kindergarten. It's fair to say she's seen the worst things that people can do to dogs, but there's still a story she can't get out of her mind.

It was a sweltering day in September of 2007, and Reynolds was in Virginia to evaluate the 49 pit bulls found alive on Vicks' property. A federal agent who had been at the scene when the property was searched was driving her to the various facilities holding the dogs, and they got to talking about what the investigation had turned up.

"The details that got to me then and stay with me today involve the swimming pool that was used to kill some of the dogs," Reynolds wrote on her blog. "Jumper cables were clipped onto the ears of underperforming dogs, then, just like with a car, the cables were connected to the terminals of car batteries before lifting and tossing the shamed dogs into the water."

She continued, "We don't know how many suffered this premeditated murder, but the damage to the pool walls tells a story. It seems that while they were scrambling to escape, they scratched and clawed at the pool liner and bit at the dented aluminum sides like a hungry dog on a tin can.

"I wear some pretty thick skin during our work with dogs, but I can't shake my minds-eye image of a little black dog splashing frantically in bloody water ... screaming in pain and terror ... brown eyes saucer wide and tiny black white-toed feet clawing at anything, desperate to get a hold. This death did not come quickly. The rescuer in me keeps trying to think of a way to go back in time and somehow stop this torture and pull the little dog to safety. I think I'll be looking for ways to pull that dog out for the rest of my life."

Vick did all that and more to his dogs, and even threw family pets into the pit with fighters and laughed while they were mauled, according to a witness who testified to federal investigators.

That's what sends dog lovers out to football games with protest signs: knowing that Michael Vick tortured and killed innocent dogs. That he has never paid for that abuse or even apologized for it.

Because the nation's most notorious dogfighter pled "not guilty" to animal cruelty charges -- charges that were eventually dropped in a plea bargain -- and he was convicted only of bankrolling a dogfighting conspiracy, for which he served 18 months in prison before being welcomed back to the public spotlight.

Even worse, he's shown no sign of understanding of, or regret over, the fate of his dogs.

"Vick has never expressed one word of remorse for what he did to those dogs," said McClay. "Not in any of his public statements, and not in his appearance on '60 Minutes.' Vick said he 'let it happen.' He slammed and beat and hung dogs to death. It's like Ted Bundy saying, 'I let someone murder this girl.' He doesn't take any responsibility for it."

Reynolds doesn't think it's an accident that most of Vick's supporters are so in the dark about his crimes against dogs.

"It worked out nicely for Vick that he never faced his animal abuse charges in court," she told me. "That meant football fans were spared the most disturbing details of his tortures and could go back to their Sunday night ritual with barely a hiccup."

Those who weren't spared those disturbing details, like Reynolds and McClay, aren't finding it easy, or even possible, to move on.

"I look at Leo's big, fat head and wonderful, loving heart," McClay said, "and wonder, how can you kill something like that? And now that's okay because Vick did his time, and we should just move on? How do you move on from that?"

Well, you might say, that's our criminal justice system, and that's professional sports. And you'd be right, as far as it goes.

But before it goes too far -- before you, too, become one of the people saying Vick's done his time and deserves to get on with his life -- consider something other than the heartwarming stories about ex-Vick dogs making visits to cancer wards and schools for troubled kids.

Think about the ones who were buried in the dirt of Bad Newz Kennels, who aren't getting much attention outside the dog world.

The horrific fate of those dogs is why Reynolds is actually glad about the continued debate between Vick's defenders and pit bull advocates -- it makes it harder for what he did to be buried along with the dogs he killed.

"Much of the public still sees pit bulls as willing gladiators rather than the victims that they are," she told me. "We have a long way to go before open debate on the topic of animal abuse is welcome in most living rooms, so the outrage about Vick's tortures is rightfully keeping the subject alive."

I suppose that's the silver lining. I just wish I could get the image of those frightened, drowning dogs out of my head. And I wish I believed they were haunting Michael Vick, too.

[B Con]

First and foremost, I believe he paid his debt to society and has expressed to me he understands the severity of his actions. I'm just one person though. I don't feel it's warranted to have to relive this story anymore with or without what people may see as "unknown" details.

That's all I will say on this matter and I'm a dog owner for the record.

[ZDub212]

He served the time that the courts made him serve, but he's not off so easy. Should he be back in jail? No. He has done the time. But is he someone to look up to, or even support in any way? Absolutely not. He's a completely selfish moron, who's actions were more than despicable. I think they should have thrown him in the pool after letting the dogs maul him.

But I'm just one person.

[eixtc]

Originally Posted by B Con

First and foremost, I believe he paid his debt to society and has expressed to me he understands the severity of his actions.

Of course he understands the severity of his actions. He's lost his luxury lifestyle, millions of dollars, and spent almost 2 years in jail. Does that mean he's remorseful and sorry about the whole situation? According to this article, "Vick has never expressed one word of remorse for what he did to those dogs," said McClay. "Not in any of his public statements, and not in his appearance on '60 Minutes." I think not.

[bloodsimple1234]

Originally Posted by ZDub212

He served the time that the courts made him serve, but he's not off so easy. Should he be back in jail? No. He has done the time. But is he someone to look up to, or even support in any way? Absolutely not. He's a completely selfish moron, who's actions were more than despicable. I think they should have thrown him in the pool after letting the dogs maul him.

But I'm just one person.

I forgive and forget,since im christian.So would I feel rage or anything else if I met him face to face? no.

with that being said,I do think the details should be known.

[ZDub212]

Originally Posted by eixtc

Of course he understands the severity of his actions. He's lost his luxury lifestyle, millions of dollars, and spent almost 2 years in jail. Does that mean he's remorseful and sorry about the whole situation? According to this article, "Vick has never expressed one word of remorse for what he did to those dogs," said McClay. "Not in any of his public statements, and not in his appearance on '60 Minutes." I think not.

He's sorry he got caught, and he understands he can't trust some people, and that breaking the law can **** him over, but he doesn't feel remorse for the dogs.

[Blackjackcat]

He is sorry he was caught, that is all he is sorry for.

[AConrad00]

Originally Posted by Blackjackcat

He is sorry he was caught, that is all he is sorry for.

exactly


far worse happens in this country that goes unnoticed by the media, but its okay because you dont hear about it...

[ZDub212]

Originally Posted by AConrad00

exactly


far worse happens in this country that goes unnoticed by the media, but its okay because you dont hear about it...

Boats & Hoes mutha****a.

[Yates Row T]

he is piece of ****. ignorant and only sorry he got caught.

[namean]

He was a cocky sob when the news was brought to the publics eyes. At one point saying he was innocent and no matter where he goes people still gonna love mike vick.
Ron Mexico is not sorry for his actions only sorry he doesnt have $140mill anymore.

[bloodsimple1234]

Originally Posted by namean

He was a cocky sob when the news was brought to the publics eyes. At one point saying he was innocent and no matter where he goes people still gonna love mike vick.
Ron Mexico is not sorry for his actions only sorry he doesnt have $140mill anymore.

good point.
he is right,he had the chance to come clean and he lied right to Arthur Blank's face.

[fitnfirm]

He is going to get his someday

[Outside backer]

i think he is a gigantic peice of **** waste of life who doesnt deserve to breath oxygen

he should have never been allowed back in the nfl


how is it we have crazy psycho mother****ers that will shoot up and army base

but no pyscho mother ****er to waste this jerkoffs life

13 people die waiting in line to go do battle but this guy gets millions

[bankhead]

Originally Posted by AConrad00

exactly


far worse happens in this country that goes unnoticed by the media, but its okay because you dont hear about it...

agree.

The reason for the law is to make offenders sorry they got caught. Everyone is capable of anything if there is no chance of being found out. The man has paid his dues as determined by the law. We cant very well punish him for not being sorry enough.

[ZDub212]

Originally Posted by bankhead

agree.

The reason for the law is to make offenders sorry they got caught. Everyone is capable of anything if there is no chance of being found out. The man has paid his dues as determined by the law. We cant very well punish him for not being sorry enough.

We can certainly hate him, but we can't punish him.

[SwolenONE]

i always lmao when people think courts and laws are just and have any meaning whatsoever, who is to draw the arbitrary lines for any punishment and how in the world would they justify them. i really pity folks without morals who never cultivated the ability to critically think.

with this said, i could give a damn less what happens to this, or any other uneducated and irrational celebrity.

[CaptMcClain]

Originally Posted by SwolenONE

i always lmao when people think courts and laws are just and have any meaning whatsoever, who is to draw the arbitrary lines for any punishment and how in the world would they justify them. i really pity folks without morals who never cultivated the ability to critically think.

with this said, i could give a damn less what happens to this, or any other uneducated and irrational celebrity.

^^^ this

and like I said when this first happened I'd probably get my ass handed to me but I'd punch vick in the face and enjoy it

[ZDub212]

Originally Posted by CaptMcClain

^^^ this

and like I said when this first happened I'd probably get my ass handed to me but I'd punch vick in the face and enjoy it

What's messed up is that YOU'D probably spend more time in jail for that than Vick did.

[DrunkMuscle]

Wow, that is really awful. He actually through the dogs in the water? I don't know if she can prove it. Maybe the dogs were swimming in the water? Who knows? She can't really prove it unless she really knows they were attached to cables and thrown in the water.

If it's true, that's a really sad and awful thing to do to a dog.

[Beejis60]

Originally Posted by ZDub212

What's messed up is that YOU'D probably spend more time in jail for that than Vick did.

It's all about fame.
Need I say more about the man, the myth, the legend?




Orenthal Simpson.

[SHOWTIME]

Originally Posted by Outside backer

i think he is a gigantic peice of **** waste of life who doesnt deserve to breath oxygen

he should have never been allowed back in the nfl


how is it we have crazy psycho mother****ers that will shoot up and army base

but no pyscho mother ****er to waste this jerkoffs life

13 people die waiting in line to go do battle but this guy gets millions

lol

He doesn't deserve to breath?

hahahaha

[dirtydean12]

all the more reason why i'm glad he's having a ****ty season

[ProWrestleFan]

LOL @ ANYONE trying compair Vick's FUNDING of a dog ring to SOMEONE KILLING PEOPLE

These "untold" details were told BTW, I remember reading them. People go to jail for **** all the time.

There are people who have killed other people walking the streets today.

There are sexual predators lurking in every town, city, and suburb in America.

There's thousands of people with abusive pasts that have seriously injured others and are free

Yet it seems like people HATE Mike Vick because he's able to play football again...

Athletes aren't the "only" highly paid people around...

Lets say you're a Lawer, if you go to jail and then get out, must you now work at McDonalds? Should flipping burgers be your deal? Or if you were a good lawer before, think you'd be able to be a lawer again if someone was willing to hire you? I do.

People need to get off their high horses and start caring about real issues. The Vick story is a dead horse now and anyone who still feeds on it, I assume, also cuddles with a PETA bear at night.

Originally Posted by dirtydean12

all the more reason why i'm glad he's having a ****ty season

The Eagles don't use him right, but they really don't need him.

Here's what I think will happen. IF, IF, IF the Eagles clinch a playoff berth (Which I hope they do ) I think they'll give McNabb more of a break, maybe only play the first half the last game or two.

Then the second half, you bring in Vick. Let him show what he can do. If he doesn't produce, we have the option to drop him. If he does, we have the option to keep him and market him to other teams for some good trades during the offseason.

[pimpnaty]

Hes a ****ing bitch and should go to jail for life imo

[DrunkMuscle]

Yeah, you're right. Micheal Vick isn't needed anywhere? Only a casket needs him to be honest. Agree or disagree?

[1sknnyJ]

[1sknnyJ]

[ZDub212]

Originally Posted by ProWrestleFan

LOL @ ANYONE trying compair Vick's FUNDING of a dog ring to SOMEONE KILLING PEOPLE

Vick's disgusting actions need no comparison for them to be horrible.

Someone who kills a human being, but isn't Hitler, is not GOOD because of that. Or any less evil.

These "untold" details were told BTW, I remember reading them. People go to jail for **** all the time.

So Vick should be forgiven because of that?

There are people who have killed other people walking the streets today.

Who's talking about them? They're obviously disgusting too. Why are you constantly comparing?

There are sexual predators lurking in every town, city, and suburb in America.

And what does that have to do with Vick?

There's thousands of people with abusive pasts that have seriously injured others and are free

Yet it seems like people HATE Mike Vick because he's able to play football again...

It has nothing to do with the fact that he gets to play football again, it's because he's a horrible human being.

Athletes aren't the "only" highly paid people around...

Lets say you're a Lawer, if you go to jail and then get out, must you now work at McDonalds? Should flipping burgers be your deal? Or if you were a good lawer before, think you'd be able to be a lawer again if someone was willing to hire you? I do.

Pretty irrelevant man.

People need to get off their high horses and start caring about real issues. The Vick story is a dead horse now and anyone who still feeds on it, I assume, also cuddles with a PETA bear at night.

Animal cruelty is a real issue. We shouldn't forget about it simply because it happened a few years ago...

Also, people who are against animal cruelty are not all in PETA, and are not all fanatics.

The Eagles don't use him right, but they really don't need him.

Here's what I think will happen. IF, IF, IF the Eagles clinch a playoff berth (Which I hope they do ) I think they'll give McNabb more of a break, maybe only play the first half the last game or two.

Then the second half, you bring in Vick. Let him show what he can do. If he doesn't produce, we have the option to drop him. If he does, we have the option to keep him and market him to other teams for some good trades during the offseason.

Vick isn't very good. He was never anything but fast & tricky. Fun to watch, style and no substance.

[jeremyleinen]

I really wish I could un-read that bit about the pooland electrocution bit. Unbelievable that somebody could do that to something so defenseless.