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Marie Belew Wheatley's Blog

Does Michael Vick Deserve a Second Chance?

Posted July 21, 2009

Michael Vick is back in the news -- this time because his prison term has ended and it’s possible that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will reinstate Vick, allowing him to play again.

I have deep and mixed feelings about this latest chapter in the Vick story. One part of me knows that the pit bulls who were heartlessly killed in service of his cruel dogfighting ring will never get a second chance. And it will always pain me to think that someone who was a role model for millions of people — many of them children — did such cruel things.

I also remain disappointed that a key recommendation of ours made to the judge during Vick’s sentencing was ignored. We strongly suggested that counseling be part of his sentence; unfortunately, it was not included. I still believe that those who show a lack of empathy toward animals need more than punishment. They need rehabilitation.

Despite my abhorrence of dogfighting and my disappointment in the judge’s failure to address Vick’s rehabilitation, I am like most Americans in that I believe in second chances. Once our justice system imposes a penalty, and once someone serves that penalty, a person should be allowed to rejoin society and become a productive contributor once again.

Whether Michael Vick is able to make this leap or not isn’t about Goodell’s pending decision so much as what lies within Vick’s heart. We simply don’t know yet whether he feels remorse. This is why American Humane has chosen to refrain from lobbying for or against his reinstatement.

Instead, we are hoping that, as some reports indicate, he will become a visible spokesperson against dogfighting and animal cruelty.

Imagine how effective his message could be. Those currently engaged in dogfighting would certainly be more likely to listen to Michael Vick than to me or another animal welfare advocate, simply because he has stood in those perpetrators’ shoes and made the same error in judgment. This element of credibility, on top of Vick’s celebrity, could be a truly powerful combination.

If you feel anger toward Vick, I can certainly understand. But I also encourage you to consider what might be salvaged from his terrible crimes, and, like American Humane, encourage him to show repentance by changing hearts and minds.

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This is not an open forum, but Marie and American Humane welcome all comments and points of view. We will post selected comments that are considerate and thought-provoking, and we may edit comments for brevity, grammar and/or inflammatory language.

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Comments

Submitted by Jeremy at: August 19, 2009

What he did was wrong…But people who kill humans seem to get a second chance before him?! That’s messed up. I think he was coached in the 60 Minute interview but why wouldn't he have been? You guys say he doesn't show remorse because you guys have your minds made up already…He went to prison, he lost a 135 million dollar pay out, he filed for bankruptcy, what does he have to do to make his amends? it is true his actions will speak louder than words but if you are biased before he even does anything to prove he is sorry, what good is even asking the question of whether he is really sorry?…In the interview it would be stupid for him not to be coached. It doesn’t mean he isn’t sorry, his body language told otherwise, ask any person who is an expert in body language, when he answered the tough questions he was looking down in disgust. Did he have to cry on TV for you guys to even consider forgiving him?… It’s OK to be mad and disgusted, I am. But you can’t have this mindset that he is a horrible human or he is not even human, because if you have that mindset then no matter what he does you will never forgive him. And personally, I would forgive someone who killed a dozen dogs before I forgave someone who killed one child, or one woman, or one human being.

Submitted by Marie Belew Wheatley at: August 18, 2009

Thank you for your comment. I’m not sure why you feel we are “riding his coattails” and would like to make a clarification that seems to have confused many people. We have not aligned ourselves with Michael Vick in any way, shape or form. Another separate group – The Humane Society of the United States, or HSUS – has aligned themselves with Vick, but we are the 131-year-old American Humane Association, and we have not aligned with him at all, nor will we. As a humane organization, all we have done is express our hope that he will and can change (truly change his ways) and that he use his celebrity or notoriety for good this time around, and not for the evils of inhumane animal cruelty. We don’t know if he’ll ever be truly sorry or if he can possibly change his ways. Nobody does. All we can do is hope.

Submitted by Cricket at: August 18, 2009

Did you watch TV last night? Did he really seem sincerely sorry for his actions or just really sorry that he was caught and had to go to jail? I never once saw a sincere look about what he did being wrong.......Disgusting that the Humane Association would ride on his coattails for publicity.

Submitted by crustylobster at: August 15, 2009

"We simply don’t know yet whether he feels remorse". I DO know those dogs were tortured and are now dead. Vick has a team now and will be making millions again, watch how fast he backtracks with excuses and scheduling problems to speak against dogfighting.

Submitted by Jessup at: August 14, 2009

I understand your stance on the issue and respect your hopes that his voice can lend weight for the argument against animal cruelty. However, I completely disagree that it will be more effective. You know what people will say when they see Vick saying how wrong it is and how no one else should do these horrible things? They'll say, "Ha...that's cause he got caught. He doesn't care...He just got busted and has to say that..." It's what the dog fighting community will say and it is what those of us that are against this inhumane, cruel, disgusting act will say. Michael Vick doesn't care about dogs...or anything else but himself. The idea that he's COMPLETELY changed his views in such a short period is ridiculous. It's laughable. Michael Vick is the same Vick he was before he went to prison. Especially given that there was no counseling. Give me a break.

Submitted by reggie at: August 5, 2009

No, absolutely not. Let him spend some time convincing the public of genuine remorse before reinstating him. Anything else is sending the wrong message to the public about what we tolerate. Besides, prisons hardly teach remorse for violence. He has no remorse and it would take years of intensive treatment for him to even begin to develop it.

Submitted by Veronica at: July 30, 2009

Once an abuser always an abuser until remorse and a sincere desire for otherwise commences. Killing is killing is killing. It s a power trip for the ego to conquer and extinguish another life. The only thing he appears to be sorry for is getting caught. He will eventually do it again.

Submitted by Mike at: July 30, 2009

If Michael Vick was a police officer would he receive a second chance? I am tired of people saying he deserves a second chance. He does not

Submitted by Sofia2 at: July 29, 2009

No! I do not think he deserves a second chance. Actually his jail sentence was ridiculous, he should be still in jail, the "real one" not house arrest. What's the matter with the justice system?

Submitted by exdob at: July 29, 2009

Until society takes animal cruelty seriously there will be a lot more Michael Vicks.

Submitted by Marcee/Chicago, IL at: July 29, 2009

This is a difficult one for me. In (almost) every way, I agree with you Marie. Just not certain about "second chances" for this creep. He is horribly scary. Why positive brain rehab wasn't a must-do, is beyond me. What makes him "think differently" now? Well, there were comments in newspapers, etc., from time-to-time his parents gave the press. They warned their creepy son of the cruel things he was doing over and over again. But, he obviously did not listen. All the more reason he needs necessary/mandatory counseling. What if he goes back to his old ways? Then what? Who will be watching?

Submitted by petesmom at: July 27, 2009

Thank you for your vrey appropriate and eloquent response. You have put into words exactly what I was feeling but could not express. What a hopeful thing it would be if Michael Vick coud be a voice against dog fighting, and turn others away from it, bringing some good out of this horrible, ugly mess!

Submitted by jb at: July 27, 2009

I believe in second chances too, but think he should not be allowed to play in the NFL. He has shown no remorse as of yet and I doubt he ever will. I could not bear watching him play in the NFL and to have anyone look up to him, especially kids, is very demeaning. I would love for him to help the animals but will not hold my breath.

Submitted by Holly at: July 24, 2009

No! I think that anyone who abuses a human or animal does NOT deserve a second chance! If they do it once what makes anyone think that they won't do it again!!!!

Submitted by Jody at: July 23, 2009

I do believe in second chances, but I don't think that Michael Vick is sorry for what he did. A person that is capable of doing that has problems way beyond getting fixed with a hand slap. I think that he should never have the honor of owning another animal. This kind of cruelty is beyond my comprehension.

Submitted by Marie Belew Wheatley at: July 23, 2009

Thank you for your comment; you bring up some key points. One is the issue of whether empathy can be taught. I believe strongly that we cannot just hope for empathy in the world; instead we must teach and nurture it in children and adults alike. That is why American Humane has a humane education program designed to pass along humane values. In terms of legislation, I agree that animal abuse must be taken seriously. We are working every day through our Office of Public Policy in Washington, D.C., to help pass anti-dogfighting and other anti-cruelty laws. Everyone can help by contacting their legislators and letting them know how they feel about these critical issues.

Submitted by kmg at: July 23, 2009

No, I do not believe he deserves a second chance. It's hard to believe & frightening he didn't know what he was doing to those dogs was wrong, cruel, & inhumane in the first place. Who could not know what he was doing was wrong? I'm sure he knew, how could he not, it's just he didn't care! A person cannot learn empathy. You either have it or you don't. The fact is he could hear dogs crying in pain & not do anything but worsen their situations or kill them. And in situations where the dogs did not want to fight, he continued to pick on them to anger them so they would fight. Others who still wouldn't fight he had them thrown to the floor until they died, electrocuted, shot them, etc. because they didn't serve a purpose to him. He took the rights away from those animals for years & now the same should happen to him. I do not think any of his talks of remorse or sorrow would be genuine. I don't think he is sorry for what he's done to those animals, just sorry he was caught. What kind of message are we sending to animal abusers if we let him go back to a career he loves so much?? The problem is all these sentences for animals abusers are way too light, which is why one of the reasons we have more and more animal abuse cases. These cases are not taken seriously enough!

Submitted by Elton at: July 23, 2009

I realize am in no position to judge. But Michael Vick is a murderer. He served two measly years for committing horrific abuse to precious animals. If his victims were human, would he be allowed to go back into his professional arena? NO! Why then is it ok when he killed so many dogs and mistreated many more to let him back out into the NFL? Is this the example we want for our young people? According to a FoxSports poll, yes it is. I believe he is evil, without a soul, and should never be allowed near a football field, let alone go back to making millions of dollars, when others of us are struggling financially to support our own rescued pets.

Submitted by carol at: July 23, 2009

I believe Michael Vick deserves a second chance but I also believe the dogs he left behind and millions of other pitbulls do too. He needs to start some sort of pay it forward to help fix the mess he helped create.

Submitted by Donna at: July 22, 2009

I don't believe he deserves a second chance at this time. He has served a couple of years in jail but he did this horrible animal abuse for 6 years. Two years is not enough time for such a horrible crime. I believe he should not be able to participate in professional football for at least another 4 years. If he needs a job let him get a regular one like other people. He took these animals lives in a disgusting, despicable manner and Vick should not be able to participate in anything professional at this time.