Michael Vick confirms he has a dog
Philly.com, Inquirer, and Daily News coverage of the Eagles
Michael Vick confirms he has a dog
Jeff McLane
A day after declining to answer whether he owned a dog, Eagles quarterback Michael Vick released a statement Thursday confirming that his family had recently obtained one.
“I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family’s decision to care for a pet,” Vick said in a statement released by his publicist. “As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals.
“I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God’s creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family. This is an opportunity to break the cycle. To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change.”
Last week, Vick tweeted a photograph of him and his daughter seated together at a table presumably at home. To their right was an open box of Milk-Bone dog biscuits. The tweet was later deleted and was replaced by a similar photo, sans the Milk-Bone box.
Several days later, the Eagles quarterback was asked to explain the photos.
“I’m here to strictly talk about football,” Vick said Wednesday at the NovaCare Complex. “What goes on in my personal life is not to be talked about. What’s most important right now is the Philadelphia Eagles and getting the win Sunday.”
Vick could not own a dog during a three-year probationary period following his release from prison. He served 19 months for owning and operating a dogfighting ring and an additional two months of house arrest following his release in May.
He had spoken openly about wanting to own a dog and in July told CNN’s Piers Morgan that he did not want to deprive his daughters from having the pet because of his crimes. Asked what kind of dog he would get, Vick said that he would allow his children to choose, but “it certainly won’t be a pit bull.”
YOU PEOPLE NEED TO GET A LIFE. CLEAN UP YOUR OWN HOUSE. GO TO A SHELTER AND GET A DOG.— Elizabeth C- Now all the national sports news can talk about Vicks dogs. Vick is an idiot for getting a dog and creating controversy. He just can't help himself.— ej610
- oh no vick got a dog for his daughters bet they follow in his footsteps and start a chihauhau fighting dog ring or whatever type of fufu dog he got them... get over it people he bought the dog for his kids omg geez man wow— defroe
- This man has moved on with his life. And has a career that any man on this post would give his first born to have. And can have any woman he wants; including yours.— Noname4me
- I actually would like to know what idiot sold this man a dog. You know he bought it, not adopted it b/c no decent person would let him near a dog let alone keep one as a pet.— scargosun
- Well, Mike, I truly hope you got your daughter a good little dog and get to see first hand what joy a well-treated pet can bring to a family.— dasher
- This is reporting? Come on…who cares. People deserve second chances and he served his time. Dog probably has a great home. Move on— connorjr
- Great, now can you put your sportswriter pants back on? Thanks.— gjgreen3
- Do we really need to know what pets the Vick family have in their household? But since we know about a dog being one of the best cared for animals ever because of the nightmare Mike Vick will face if something happens to the dog even by accident.— MrPhilly
- all of you haters with the negative comments are sicking!!!! lol get over yourselves!!! don't hate because he was able to over come obsticals non of you lames wouldn't have even come close to over coming get a life!!!! now back to football and the lions this weekend...— DJ_Bootleggah
- He overcame obstacles he created himself. He was the idiot who got into dog fighting and got himslef kicked out of football and into jail. He is the moron who peed away tens of millions $$$$. Nope it wasn't us. So - speaking for myself - I am not really all that impresses with the "obstacles" he overcame. Please. — rayjay
- There are a lot of dogs in the world we could worry about. I don't think Mike Vick's pet is in any type of danger. This year and last year he seems to be great off the field. Now, if we can get him to be a speedier version of Steve Young...— armchairGM
- Michael Vick was tried, convicted, served his time and by all accounts, caused no problems in prison. If his probationary agreement says he can now own dogs, so be it.
But I think Vick should be thinking a little further than he apparently has. Someday, maybe very soon, his children are going to find out, either from schoolmates or the Internet, what their father did to dogs...This includes the beatings, drownings, electrocutions...When his kids look at their family pet, what are they going to think of Michael doing those things to dogs? To me, his message should be that your father did some really rotten things to dogs...and actions have consequences..one is which I'm not going to bring a dog into this household.— Polecat_39 - ej..why would he get a dog for attention? when all he has to do is stand infront of a camera to get it..smh..some idiots just reach to hate someone..childish— bigjay215
