The HSUS Renews Call for NFL to Suspend Michael Vick |
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July 19, 2007
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| ©The HSUS |
| Dogs are the real victims of this cruel bloodsport. |
The Humane Society of the United States renewed its call for the NFL to immediately suspend Michael Vick, citing a huge negative response from Americans who are appalled by the dogfighting allegations in a 19-page federal indictment against Vick and three co-defendants.
HSUS officials appeared on numerous television and radio programs this week alongside football commentators, attorneys, and others. Widespread condemnation of the dogfighting activities Vick is charged with is reverberating on the airwaves and in newspapers across the country.
While acknowledging that Vick has the right to his day in court, The HSUS is disturbed by the message the NFL and the Falcons are sending by letting Vick continue to play under such serious allegations of animal cruelty.
Yesterday, The HSUS urged their online advocates to send the NFL a strong message: dogfighting is a gruesome act that should not be condoned by allowing Michael Vick to continue playing professional football.
The campaign has generated more online actions, more quickly, than any other campaign for the organization (only Hurricane Katrina responses numbered higher). Animal advocates generated a wave of activity that shut down the organization's website for large portion of both Wednesday and Thursday.
The NFL claims that it is waiting to see whether Vick is convicted or not before taking any disciplinary action, but The HSUS calls on the league to stop sitting on the sidelines. If it does nothing but wait for the legal process to run its course, The HSUS argues, then the NFL's internal code of conduct is entirely meaningless.
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 Innocent until guilty is a bedrock value of this country. But we have other important traditions, too. When a shadow as awful as this falls on a public figure like Vick, leaders take action, and it's not business as usual. More»
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"By allowing Michael Vick to continue as a part of the NFL, they are clearly ignoring the cries of the American public and are seemingly condoning these barbaric acts," said Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "While these disturbing dogfighting charges against Vick are being prosecuted, the NFL and the Falcons need to disassociate themselves from this cruel and unacceptable conduct. Vick will have the opportunity to defend himself in court; by not suspending him the NFL is sending the wrong message to the American public."
In a May 3 letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Pacelle offered HSUS collaboration to investigate and eradicate any illegal animal fighting, and to help educate NFL players about animal cruelty issues. To date, the NFL has not taken advantage of the opportunity to work with The HSUS.
"The NFL and the Falcons must take a stand against animal fighting by reversing their decision not to suspend Vick and implementing internal policies to raise awareness about animal cruelty," added Pacelle.
Updated July 20, 2007.
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