PETITION CLOSED

  • The time period for signing this petition has ended.
  1. Signatures
    4,374 out of 5,000
    Petitioning
    1. The President of the United States
  2. Created By
    Meredeth Oliver
    Weehawken, NJ
About this Petition Petition Letter

****UPDATE, 1/6/11: The wonderful organization Bad Rap (www.BadRap.org) has had the brilliant idea to recruit as many people as possible to send a copy of The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant to the White House in an effort to get the first family to read the story of the Vick dogs. Hopefully, it will shed light on the REAL heros in this story. It was always my intention to send a copy of the book with the petition when I reached 5000 signatures but I would like to make that happen as soon as possible instead of by the end of the month in order to participate in the BadRap effort. PLEASE spread the word far and wide about the petition so I can make this happen! Thank you! ****

It was reported 12/27/10 that "President Obama has reached out to Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, and thanked him for giving quarterback Michael Vick a second chance in the NFL this year, according to Sports Illustrated's Peter King." [Read story here: http://bit.ly/eUZrGO] This "thank you" is a slap in the face to dog advocates everywhere and it sweeps under the rug the fact that penalties for animal cruelty are not strong enough in this country. Michael Vick performed heinous acts on the dogs in his dogfighting kennel and the prison time he served was not enough punishment for such horror. It is a disgrace that he can be elevated to the stature of NFL sports star once again due to the greed of the Philadelphia Eagles who knew Vick's controversy and skills on the field would bring them millions. To have these people and actions commended by the President of the United States is insulting to the tireless animal rescuers, investigators, and advocates who dedicate their lives to stopping these criminal acts and saving/rehabilitating the victims of it. President Obama has done nothing for American Pit Bull Terriers, I doubt he's even well-versed in the facts of the Vick case and without seeing all sides of this issue, I don't see how he thinks it's appropriate to weigh in on this matter in the way that he has. If you agree, please sign below.

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Acknowledge That Your Call to Jeffrey Lurie re: Michael Vick's 2nd Chance was Wrong

Greetings, President Obama

It has been reported that you felt compelled to call the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, Jeffrey Lurie, to "thank" him for giving dog-fighter, Michael Vick, a second chance. It is baffling that you would step into the ring surrounding this controversial individual who has killed dogs in heinous ways with his own hands and barely served 2 years jail time for his actions. For some reason, you did make this choice, and as a Pit Bull advocate - a dog advocate - I cannot sit back and allow you to think you've done the right thing without hearing from my side.

There is no rehabilitation for this type of criminal. Particularly when the perpetrator himself has repeatedly said that he would still be fighting (killing) dogs if he hadn't been caught. He has refused, time and again, to meet the rehabilitated survivors of his abuse - which would be a critical step in the right direction for him making amends with the dog community. Now he claims to want another dog in his home for his children - an arrogant statement only meant to fuel the fire he has created since his arrest. He deserves no such opportunity - ever.

It is particularly disconcerting to me that you have chosen to commend the criminal but have not once acknowledged the victims of his actions or, for that matter, the law enforcement officers and dog experts who handled the case. Until you meet some of these dogs, read the book The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant, and commend the people involved in ending the Bad Newz Kennel operation, I don't see how you can embarrass yourself by making this phone call. You should apologize immediately for this decision.

[Your name]

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