Last week Michael Vick inadvertantly outed himself as a dog owner in a picture that he tweeted from his own Twitter account. The picture launched a controversy surrounding the former dog fighting financial backer and former dog abuser. Adam Reigner, an employee of radio station 94WIP and occasional contributor to local sports blog Crossing Broad caught the picture before Vick cropped out an item from the picture: a box of Milk Bone dog biscuits.
Initially declining to comment on the issue when speaking to reporters, Vick used his Facebook page today to acknowledge that yes, he does own a pet. Here is what he had to say:
I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family’s decision to care for a pet. 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.
Vick certainly is within his legal rights to own a dog. It may indeed be with the best of intentions and to "break the cycle", but the public has not totally forgiven Vick just yet.
Those truly concerned for the dog, please think about it: Vick is not going to do anything stupid that would harm his future and his daughter's future. This can only be a step toward something positive.
