Vick's crime is more gruesome than most

Since the Philadelphia Eagles decided to sign Michael Vick, we've been treated to another replay of the fundamental American drama about sin and redemption.

Coach Andy Reid has reminded us that Vick, who was convicted on multiple counts of cruelty to animals, has served his time - "gone through the right process," as he put it. Therefore, in the best tradition of repentance, he is entitled to a second chance.

To some extent, it's hard to argue with Reid's logic. A society with so many people in jail had better have a second-chance attitude, if only for the sake of making peace with all the ex-offenders our system generates.

But Vick's crime is different from most. He was convicted of running a business centered around the spectacle of dogs tearing each other to pieces. He was also convicted of electrocuting one dog, drowning another, and beating a third to death. Their offenses? They weren't very good at tearing other dogs to pieces.

The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback has indeed paid his criminal penalty, and that account is settled. What hasn't changed is that Vick is the kind of guy who had no problem beating a dog to death as punishment for its lack of fighting prowess. We may even wonder whether he took some pleasure from it, although we don't know that. What we do know is that his character includes a streak of savage cruelty.

That character flaw is particularly disgusting to many of us. But public disgust isn't enough to justify the argument that Vick has no place in Philadelphia.

More to the point, people who torture animals are dangerous neighbors. Consider:

In one study, 100 percent of those who committed murders involving rape or other sexual aspects had a history of cruelty to animals.

Almost 40 percent of animal abusers commit violent crimes against humans.

Sixty-three percent of men convicted of violent crimes admit to cruelty to animals.

Forty-eight percent of rapists and 30 percent of child molesters acknowledge episodes of cruelty to animals.

Men who have abused animals are five times more likely to have been arrested for violence toward humans, four times more likely to have committed property crimes, and three times more likely to have records for drug or disorderly-conduct offenses.

There is another class of criminals we consider particularly threatening even after they have done their time: Child abusers. We impose certain restrictions on them even after they are released from prison, because they have been shown to pose a danger to the innocent.

There is an eerie correlation between those who enjoy torturing animals and those who are willing to hurt children. I'm not saying that Vick will, or wants to, hurt children. But I don't think Reid, Jeff Lurie, or anyone else in the team's management would hire Vick to babysit anytime soon.

The Eagles would like us to welcome this man into our city. Fair enough, since they seem willing to allow him onto their roster and into their locker room. But it's hard to imagine that the presence of this particular powder keg is going to make for a more relaxed team atmosphere.

In the meantime, my respect for the organization has vanished. I'll be looking for another team to root for until the Eagles come to their senses.