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Monday, August 24, 2009

Eagles pledge to support animal welfare cause

Eagles president Joe Banner met with local shelter and rescue groups today in what animal welfare advocates hope will be the first step in the team's effort to respond to the plague of dog fighting in Philadelphia.

"It was a very good meeting," said Tom Hickey Sr., founder of DogPac political advocacy group and a member of the state Dog Law Advisory Board. "Ninety percent of the meeting was about what the Eagles can do locally."

The individual who prompted the discussion, Michael Vick, was not present, nor was he the focus of the discussion, Hickey said. Vick, who has pledged to be an anti-cruelty "ambassador" to inner city communities as part of his rehabilitation, is working with the Humane Society of the United States' anti-dog fighting campaign.

"We feel with bringing Michael Vick to Philadelphia that we have an obligation to work with the community, to educate and work with kids, particularly," said Pamela Browner Crawley, a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Eagles, told Fox-TV. 

Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham said the meeting was a "good first step with regard to animal cruelty and abuse."

Among the attendees were representatives from the Humane Society of the United States, SPCAs from Philadelphia, Chester, Bucks, Montgomery and Delaware counties, Morris Animal Refuge, Camden Humane Society, Main Line Animal Rescue and Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).

Hickey said Banner told them he would convene a small group follow up meeting after reviewing notes on the meeting which lasted just over two hours.
Posted by Amy Worden @ 8:30 PM  Permalink | 3 comments
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:39 PM, 08/24/2009
    Too little, too late. The Humane Society of the US already sold out. I hope that ASPCA and PSPCA stand their ground on this issue. Jeff Lurie made a paltry donation to Main Line Animal Rescue that was insulting. He spends more than $1500 on a pair of shoes. The Eagles are a disgrace.
    — cindy_schriver
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:33 PM, 08/24/2009
    Cindy, dog fighting has exhisted in Pa, and most of the states and cities around this country for a long time. Vick was arrested, publicly humiliated, imprisoned and lost a fortune. What was the impact on the dog fighting community? Did they see what could happen, fold up ther tents, and love their animals? No. So maybe, Michael Vick can go to schools, n the inner cities and the rural south and talk to kids and have an impact. From the HSUS perspective, how is Vick likely to have the greatest impact, as a guy who once played in the NFL, and since your dealing with kids, you are going to have a small window of age groups to which he is relevant... limited lifespan and effectiveness. Or as an active NFL player who has become an advocate? It's a unique opportunity and should be given a shot to have an impact. and as long as he commits himself to being that advocate and trying to right that wrong, he deserves a 2nd chance. Should he stop, then the league should drop him cold.
    — gee1971
  • Comment removed.


3 comments
About Amy Worden
Amy Worden is a politics and government reporter for the Inquirer. In that capacity she has explored a range of animal issues from dog kennel law improvements and horse slaughter to the comeback of peregrine falcons and pigeon hunts. From hamsters to horses, animals have always been part of her life. To pass along a tip or contact Amy, click here.
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