Five years after Michael Vick was implicated and convicted in an interstate dog fighting ring, the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback is a dog owner once again.
Vick confirmed the news on Thursday after refusing to answer a question about it the day before. The topic came up after Vick posted a picture on Twitter of himself and his children had a box of Milk-Bones treats in it.
"I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family's decision to care for a pet," Vick said in a statement. "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."
When he was first asked about the question, he tried to steer things towards football.
"I'm here to strictly talk about football," Vick said Wednesday at the NovaCare Complex to Philly.com. "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 pleaded guilty to federal charges of operating a dog fighting ring over a number of years and eventually served 21 months in prison. After getting out he has worked with many organizations, including the Humane Society of the United States, to denounce animal cruelty and to help repair his image.
"This is an opportunity to break the cycle," Vick said. "To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change."
While on probation for his crimes Vick was not allowed to own a dog for three years, but that period of time is over.
"I'm not a psychopath. I'm not crazy. I'm a human being," Vick once told The Associated Press about wanting to own a dog. "What happened in my past and what I did in the culture I grew up in doesn't shape and mold me as the person I am now."
In 2010 Vick spoke about owning a dog again top Philadelphia Magazine when the time was right.
"I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love and my passion for animals; I think it would be outstanding," Vick said. "If I ever have the opportunity again I will never take it for granted. I miss having a dog right now. I wish I could. My daughters miss having one, and that's the hardest thing: Telling them that we can't have one because of my actions."
Following his jail term Vick signed a one-year contract with the Eagles in 2009 and served as a backup for Donovan McNabb. The next season he was named the starting quarterback for the team and led the team to the playoffs after throwing for over 3,000 yards and 21 touchdowns.
Last season he signed a 6-year, $100 million contract with almost $40 million in guaranteed money. He has been a dynamic and exciting player for the Eagles, but has had trouble this season with turnovers and getting hit by defenders.
"Being honest. Being candid. ... I still deal with my kids each and every day, and for the last three years, not being able to have a dog because of my acts. ... I just don't think that's fair," Vick told CNN last July. "It may be something that's therapeutic in that for them and I can't take that dream away from them. That's selfish on my behalf."
Vick was tried and served his time and although many feel he should never be able to own a dog again, he deserves the right like any other American to make up for his past mistakes.
