Associated Press – Michael Vick arriving at the PA State Capitol
Michael Vick, the infamous former NFL quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons when he pled guilty to federal conspiracy charges in 2007 for bankrolling his dogfighting ring, paid a visit to Pennsylvania’s State Capitol earlier today to lobby with legislators for the Pets in Cars (HB 1516) bill.
House Bill 1516 would give police the right to remove a dog or cat who was left alone in a hot car. “It allows officers to break the window if they need to rescue an animal,” Vick said.
The bill would also shield first responders from the responsibility for the damage done to a car caused when rescuing animals from cars or trucks. It would be a summary offense to leave a cat or dog in an unattended vehicle in extreme heat
Vick calls himself an unlikely advocate who was once part of the problem with animals but now says he can reach people that activists cannot reach. He claims to have learned from his mistakes.
“It just changed me as a man. I am thankful I was able to move on from it and affect a lot of people as far as turning everything around and bringing awareness to this,” he said.
“The bottom line is that all animals thrive on kindness and respect. They depend on us like our children depend on us,” Vick said.
Vick met with a group of children in York County to explain the importance of caring for animal prior to his appearance at the Capitol.
The Pets in Cars bill was introduced in September and is pending in a House committee. A summary offense is the most minor type of infraction in Pennsylvania, usually punishable by a fine.
Seventeen states have laws making it illegal to leave pets in vehicles.
Do you think Vick is sincere or was this a publicity stunt as some claim? Fans were at the Capitol seeking his autograph and to take selfies with him. Is Vick the right person to advocate for HB 1516 on behalf of animals?
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I can’t stand him! He electrocuted, hanged, slammed dogs on concrete and drowned them. How do you forget that? I can’t!!! He is the wrong person to lobby.
Michael Vick was supposed to talk with youth after he got out of jail. He did talk at a few schools but didn’t seem to dissuade them from hurting animals. Not saying he told them to hurt animals but the message he was supposed to give them wasn’t accomplished. For show.
I will never forgive Vick for what he did. He never said he was sorry for what he did to those dogs. He’s not remorseful at all. All a show!
I believe Vick is showing redemption in some form. He didn’t have to do this. There was no fanfare prior to his visit to the Capitol. He said he’s a changed man and trying to tell kids not to go down the same path he did. I would give him the benefit of the doubt.
I think he can do a lot of good with his notoriety to help animals or get legislation passed. If it helps animals, I don’t care who’s doing the talking.
He’s not an advocate for animals. Taking selfies with his “fans” proves he’s in it for the celebrity status and to make himself look better. Why does even care about animals in hot cars in Pennsylvania?
He moved on from it by allowing time to pass. I can’t think of anything he has done to help animals since he got out of jail. He let time lapse before he finally did something. He was there with Wayne P , CEO of HSUS, to lobby legislators. Mr P wants the recognition too.
I do agree that he can get to more people because of who he is and what he did. I think people want to give him a second chance.
Publicity stunt.
I will never trust him. He should never be allowed to have dogs.