A Philadelphia-based animal welfare group is asking the Eagles to put their money where their mouth is.

DogPac, a political action committee and advocacy group, sent a letter to Eagles owner Jeff Lurie today asking him to match every dollar he pays Michael Vick with a donation to area animal shelters.

That means a total of $6.6 million over two years.

"The Philadelphia Eagles have repeatedly stated that they believe in giving second chances," said Tom Hickey Sr., chairman of DogPAC and a member of the state Dog Law Advisory Board. "I believe this is a way for the Eagles to clearly demonstrate that they are willing to invest equally in giving a second chance to the dogs that are the victims of this brutal illegal activity."

In addition to the letter to Lurie, Hickey sent an email to the 23,000 people on the DogPAC list urging them to send emails to the Eagles and show their support for the donation request. As of noon 925 letters had been sent to Lurie, Hickey said.

Hickey said the Eagles contribution should go toward enforcing animal cruelty laws and helping care for and rehabilitate fighting dogs.

"With this matching contribution dogs that have been brutalized will be able to receive the necessary medical and behaviorial care that is necessary to give them that second chance of being adopted into a loving and caring home," he said.

There has been no word from the Eagles on exactly what will be expected from Vick as far as his anti-dog fighting activities are concerned or what, if anything, the team plans to do to help the area's animals in the months and years ahead.

Here is the letter DogPac sent to its email list:

Are you as outraged as I am that the Philadelphia Eagles have signed Michael Vick? I'm sure that you are, and you have every right to be. Vick has admitted doing barbaric things to dogs, and the Eagles have shown horrible judgement by making him a member of their team.

The Eagles say that Vick will use his position to help save dogs and show kids that animal abuse is wrong. That simply is not good enough.

However, I believe that by working together we can make the Eagles put their money where their mouth is and do something very positive for dogs in Philadelphia.

That's why I've sent a letter to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie urging him to prove his team's commitment to stopping dog abuse by donating AT LEAST the equivalent of Michael Vick's salary to dog shelters and rescues every year that Vick is an Eagle. That would mean donations of $1.6 million this year and $5 million next year, if Vick is still on the team.

Now I need your help to put public pressure on the Eagles organization to make this happen. Please join me by sending an email to Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie telling him to prove his commitment to protecting dogs by agreeing to make these donations.

Click here to send an email to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie telling him to put his money where his mouth is to protect dogs.

The Eagles have said that they are giving Michael Vick a "second chance" by putting him on the team. By making these substantial donations to rescues and shelters the Eagles could give a second chance to thousands of dogs that have been abused, maimed and tortured by dog fighting rings just like the one that Michael Vick ran.

If they believe that Vick's second chance is worth $1.6 million this year, then we believe it's worth at least that much to give second chances to thousands of innocent dogs who otherwise would be destroyed.

Please help me convince the Eagles and Jeffrey Lurie that this is the right thing to do by sending him an email right now.

Please forward this email to your friends, relatives and neighbors who love dogs and ask them to join you by emailing Jeffrey Lurie too.

Thank you for your continuing support and for everything you do to help protect dogs in Pennsylvania.

Sincerely,

Tom Hickey, Sr.
DogPAC Chairman

It was a well-orchestrated break-in with a specific target.

The thief disabled the power, broke a padlock and pried off a window to get inside the Humane League of Lancaster County's shelter Tuesday morning. He then snatched a 7-month-old pit bull puppy from his pen and fled.

A witness saw a man wearing black fleeing with the puppy named Vega, but it was too late to stop him.

Humane League staff fear that the puppy could have been stolen for breeding or dog fighting. Vega is tan colored, weighs 45 pounds and is microchipped.

The puppy was scheduled to be adopted tomorrow.

The league is asking anyone with information or who thinks they see the dog to call East Lampeter Police Department at 717-291-4676 or the Humane League of Lancaster County at (717) 393-6551.

Marsha Reines Perelman, a longtime animal welfare advocate from Wynnewood, has been named the new chairman of the board of the ASPCA.

“Marsha has shown an incredible dedication to animals since joining our Board 10 years ago,” said ASPCA president and chief executive Ed Sayres. “She has personally and professionally committed herself to the ASPCA’s mission of fighting animal cruelty, and we have no doubt that she will bring that commitment to her new leadership role.”

Perelman, a member of Gov. Rendell's Dog Law Advisory Board, said the ASPCA is completing a major refocusing of its efforts in the areas of animal cruelty, animal health and community outreach. She said she looks forward to helping advance the anti-cruelty cause, particularly dog fighting, puppy mills and farm animal abuse.

"It's an extremely exciting time to be there," she said. "We've grown in size and increased our focus. I think we can be much more effective."

Since 2006, Perelman has led the ASPCA's efforts to combat conditions in Pennsylvania's puppy mills culiminating in the passage of the new state dog law last October, which toughens standards and improves conditions for dogs living in commercial kennels.

Perelman has been involved in animal rescue efforts since 1992. She has personally rescued six dogs, including a ten year-old breeding dog from a Pennsylvania puppy mill. Most recently, Perelman helped her daughter rescue a pit bull mix who had spent five months at the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Based in New York City, the ASPCA is the nation's oldest animal welfare advocacy organization.

Sparks flew on WHYY's Radio Times's discussion of the Michael Vick signing yesterday: There was Jeff Lurie's recent donation to a local animal rescue group, Gov. Rendell's comment about Vick serving his sentence with "grace and dignity" and his suggestion Vick and animal welfare crusader and Phillies star Chase Utley appear in a public service announcement together.

Here's what the Inquirer reported about that debate in today's paper:

Bill Smith, the cofounder of Main Line Animal Rescue, said yesterday on WHYY radio that Eagles owner Jeff Lurie made a $1,500 donation to the local animal welfare organization before the team announced that convicted dogfighter Michael Vick had joined the squad.

Vick spent 18 months in prison on dogfighting charges. Some of the debate about the decision to sign the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback involves the idea of rehabilitation and second chances.

"It's a football decision," Smith said on WHYY. "Pure and simple. We received a check from Jeff Lurie a week before this happened for $1,500. It was the first time he ever sent anything to Main Line Rescue. We don't even know if we're able to keep that money. Jeff Lurie doesn't care anything about rehabilitating Michael Vick. It's all about football."

Lurie was not available to comment, according to a team spokesperson. Team president Joe Banner said in a written statement that Lurie's contribution to Main Line Animal Rescue was unrelated to the signing of Vick and done in honor of longtime 6ABC sports anchor Gary Papa, who died in June.

"Gary requested that friends and family donate to the shelter," Banner said.

As for Smith's general criticism, Banner said: "Since the signing of Michael Vick, we have heard a variety of opinions expressed by animal right leaders on whether Michael Vick should return to football and the role he should or should not play as an advocate for the protection of animals and against animal cruelty. Bill Smith's remarks find support among some, as do the words of Wayne Pacelle from the Humane Society, who is working with Michael and believes that he can be 'part of the solution, rather than a part of the problem.' In the end, it's all up to Michael Vick - what he does in the community and on the football field."

Smith disputed the Eagles' contention that all local animal welfare organization supported the decision. He also suggested the Lurie could do more.

"Jeff Lurie, with his vast resources, could easily help hire five or six more cruelty agents," Smith said.

Gov. Rendell appeared before Smith on the radio program and spoke of his efforts to help animals, but also mentioned that it was important to send a message to those serving time in state prison that a second chance is possible.

Smith, who said he had previously praised Rendell's efforts on the issue, criticized the governor for suggesting that it would be great if Phillies second baseman Chase Utley - who, with his wife, Jennifer, has raised money for animal-welfare causes - would appear with Vick in a public service announcement, and for focusing on Vick's grace and dignity in his public apologies.

"He's not Nelson Mandela," Smith said. "He's Michael Vick."
 

Mary Remer trains show dogs and family pets on the grounds of her family's Main Line estate, Ardrossan, former home to storied socialite Hope Montgomery Scott - an inspiration for Katherine Hepburn's character in "The Philadelphia Story." The circular driveway and sweeping fields are the backdrop to puppy classes, manners classes (preferable to "obedience," Remer says) and show training for about 150 dogs a week. Today, she's in the house at philly.com to answer your toughest behavior questions.

Nine days before the Eagles announced they had signed Michael Vick and the world learned that the nation's most infamous animal abuser would be moving to Philadelphia, Handsome Dan found a new home.

Who's Handsome Dan?

He's a "Vicktory" dog, one of 22 battle-scarred pit bulls rescued from Vick's Bad Newz Kennel who found safe harbor thousands of miles away at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah.

The New York Times put together this stirring slide show of these traumatized animals embraced by the staff at the sanctuary. Some are so troubled they will likely spend their lives there, but others like Dan have found adoptive families. Still they are special needs dogs and the sanctuary (and court) has set up a rigorous adoption program.

Heather and Mark from New England, who run a doggy day care and rescue specializing in rehabilitating abused pit bulls, passed the test and welcomed Dan into their home earlier this month. They report Dan moped around for a few days before being convinced to play in a tear-inducing act of kindness by one of their resident mutts. Dan is still timid but he's coming out of his shell, they say, even doing a "little happy dance" when he sees the leash.

Reaction to the arrival of Michael Vick in Philadelphia runs the gamut from hard-core fans who think the "animal rightists" should shut up and go eat tofu, to those who say Vick did terrible things, but deserves a second chance, to those who are so furious about team owner Jeffrey Lurie's decision, they plan to boycott the Eagles and Eagles sponsors.

My colleague Mike Jensen looks at the new campaign on www.sackvick.net launched to put pressure on Eagles sponsors like Verizon Wireless and KFC.

Meanwhile, the comments are still sizzling all over the Inquirer Web site. A poll keeping a running tally of pro/anti Vick sentiment (currently running 51 percent opposing the signing and 49 supporting it.) My email box is brimming with readers who want to air their views and comments posted on stories are running at an all-time high.

Here are excerpts from some of the emails I've received: 

To Eagles owner Jeff Lurie:

What is the price to sell your soul? It must be a shot for that Superbowl ring and, of course, the money. Surely as CEO, coach and players you have all sold your soul by welcoming Michael Vick to the Eagles. We gave this man the privilege of playing professional football and making millions of dollars once before and he had the responsibility of setting an example to all of us who admired his abilities. Instead of cultivating a positive image, he chose to commit atrocities to animals. There is something in the core of his body that permitted him to do these atrocities and it is hard for me to believe that Michael Vick has been set straight by just losing money. To forgive Michael Vick is one thing, but to put him back up on his pedestal is something entirely different. Cheering Michael Vick as he throws a pass, catches a football or scores a touchdown would only be seen as condoning and accepting his actions. Anyone that owns a pit bull and loves it dearly will never forgive Michael Vick. Anyone that truly loves their animals and treats them with respect and returns the love that they receive will never be able to cheer him on the field. Why has Philadelphia stooped so low?

-David G. Wolf, Director, National Greyhound Adoption Program

 “Michael Vick admits that what he did to dogs was cruel and barbaric, but now that he has served his time, he wants to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem. He has pledged to make a long-term commitment to participate in our community-based outreach programs to steer inner-city youth away from dogfighting. At events with Michael in Atlanta and Chicago, we’ve seen him deliver a powerful message against animal cruelty. Like so many other major American cities, Philadelphia has a serious dogfighting problem, and groups like the Pennsylvania SPCA have excellent programs to combat dogfighting locally. We have not had any discussions with the Philadelphia Eagles and the team did not consult animal welfare groups about its decision, but we look forward to working together to combat the dogfighting problem in Philadelphia and nationwide. “

- Wayne Pacelle, President, The Humane Society of the United States

Yesterday, as I was watching the Eagles-New England game, Michael Vick came up in the conversation. My wife and I wondered which team would stoop low enough and be so desperate to acquire Mr. Vick. Within minutes, when the television sports announcers stated that Mr. Vick had been offered a two-year contract by the Eagles, our feelings turned from absolute disbelief to shock. Of the 32 teams, it was the Eagles that had stooped low enough. I am embarrassed and ashamed. And like many people in Philadelphia and around the country, I am angry. Eagles ticket holders who have dogs—in fact anyone who has a conscience—should send a message to Eagles owner Laurie (sic) and coach Andy Reid and demand their money back.

I have yet to hear Mr. Vick publicly state that he is sorry for what he did to the dogs that died at his and his associates’ hands. He has apologized to his family, friends, team members, and fans—but he has never apologized to the animals. We keep hearing that he has paid his debt to society. It wasn’t society that he wronged. It was the countless number of dogs and other animals that he caused to be brutally harmed and savagely killed.

Make no mistake, this was no one-off situation. This was no error in judgment. If we are to believe Mr. Vick’s father, his son has been engaged in dog fighting since long before he was 10 years old. Remember, we read in the media how Mr. Vick and his companions hung dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables and held them under water. And that’s only part of the story. How many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of animals has Mr. Vick abused and killed in the intervening years? We will never know. Dogs and cats are stolen off the streets and used as bait for fighting dogs in Philadelphia and other cities. How many pets, companion animals died to feed Mr. Vick’s taste in entertainment?

And are we to believe that miraculously Mr. Vick has transformed—after over 20 years of engaging in dog fighting? Statistics are not in his favor: ask any law enforcement official. Repeat offenders—including drug addicts, rapists, child molesters—often do not and cannot change. This was not only a business, an enterprise for Mr. Vick, it was a way of life. And we are defined by what we do in life.

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by the insensitivity of sports. After all, it is about money. Our everyday and business language is laced with ill-chosen, callous phrases based on a theme: “it’s a dogfight; it’s not the dog in the fight but the fight in the dog; or I don’t have a dog in this fight.” Here’s another one: “every dog will have his day.” Except those Mr. Vick killed. Instead, and to further trash the animals he tortured and killed, Mr. Vick is having his day—$6.8 million to be exact. So crime does pay.

It doesn’t stop there. The sport of American football—until now by far my most favorite sport—is unfortunately providing an ever growing number of players who demonstrate violence and bad behavior off the field. They may be professionally talented but personally they are damaged. Every week we hear of another football player who has exercised “poor judgment,” expecting the League and the fans to give them another chance. Too many chances are being given. Too many lines in the sand are being drawn, and then crossed. It will only get worse. The decision by the Eagles has not helped. The Associated Press quoted coach Reid during the announcement of Vick’s signing: "This is America. We do make mistakes," Reid said. Yes, you do, Mr. Reid. Put that down to an error in judgment.

- William Hawkins, former board vice president, Pennsylvania SPCA

With the football deal heard round the world less than two days old, Philadelphia souvenir hawkers are already peddling #7 Vick jerseys in Eagles green.

Now animal lovers have a way to express their opinion about the arrival of the newest bird at the Linc: let your dog have his way with a Michael Vick chew toy.

You may recall the first Vick dog toys emerged when Vick - then with the Atlanta Falcons - was charged with federal dog fighting charges two years ago. The next toy featured Vick in prison stripes. Now you can complete your collection with the brand new Eagle Vick. 

Philly Dawg cannot confirm the durability of the toy, but its promoters say it's strong and durable enough to last "season after season" and challenge for all breeds, yes, even the Pit bull.

Gov. Rendell -  Eagles post-game commentator and champion of animal welfare in Pennsylvania - offered his reaction today to the Michael Vick deal. Rendell, who fought for passage of the new state dog law last year to improve conditions in commercial breeding kennels or puppy mills,  said Vick has paid his dues and he offered to help him meet his goal to be an advocate for dogs.

Here's what Rendell said today:

"I believe that I don't have to take a back seat to anyone in my commitment to helping protect all animals, and specifically our dogs and puppies. I am enormously proud of the progress we have made through the enactment of our new dog law and stepped-up enforcement efforts.

“I also believe strongly in the tenets of rehabilitation and redemption. I believe Michael Vick has paid a strong and just penalty for his horrific acts, but he has endured that penalty with dignity and grace. He seems to be genuinely remorseful for what he has done.

“Michael Vick’s work with the Humane Society has been a positive step and I believe he will continue to be an advocate for protecting our canine friends. His experience will add extra weight to that message, and I look forward to working with him toward achieving that goal."