What’s Michael Vick doing at PetSmart?
Michael Vick and his new dog are taking training classes.
Philadelphia sports website Crossing Broad posted several photos this week of Vick and his Beligian Malinois, Angel, enrolled in training classes at a New Jersey PetSmart.
It was Crossing Broad that first broke the story — or at least raised the possibility — that Vick’s family had gotten a dog, after a member of its staff noted a box of Milk Bones on the quarterback’s breakfast table in a photo Vick Tweeted.
Several days later, Vick admitted his family had gotten a dog, something that he was legally allowed to do after the probationary period for his dogfighting sentence expired last summer.
“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,” he said in a statement.
“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,” added Vick, who has been working with the Humane Society of the United States in an anti-dogfighting campaign.
Crossing Broad reported this week that a tipster supplied the photographs of Vick at PetSmart and confirmed that Vick had signed up for a total of six training classes on Monday evenings.
(Photos: Crossing Broad)
Posted by jwoestendiek March 6th, 2013 under Muttsblog.
Tags: angel, animals, belgian malinois, classes, dog, dog training, dogfighting, dogs, michael vick, new dog, new jersey, pets, petsmart, philadelphia eagles, prison, probation, quarterback, training
Comments
Comment from shelli golden
Time March 7, 2013 at 11:39 am
Shame on you Petsmart! Do you honestly believe he’s a changed man? How much time or money has he actually devoted to animal rights and care since his arrest? Validating his dog ownership makes you part of the problem, not part of the solution.
Comment from Deborah Ullrich
Time March 7, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Michael Vick is doing community service because of his crime, do not let him fool you with all his “sweet” rhetoric. He should have thought about his children back when he was involved with Pit Bull fighting and the cruelty involved. As far as classes at Petsmart??? Crazy, the man has enough money to hire Cesaer Milan. I think something rotten is afloat between him and Petsmart for publicity.
Comment from Lynn Gallo
Time March 22, 2013 at 11:51 pm
I will no longer shop at petsmart, they lost a good customer I have 3 dogs and my daughter has 2, bad move petsmart.
Comment from the other side
Time March 23, 2013 at 8:26 am
I definately do not agree wth what Michael Vick did and think that the b@tard should have done to him what he did to those poor animals. My neighbor has one of those dogs who while cannot bark due to vocal cord snipping is quite a sweetheart. But on the other side….do I think he derserves to be allowed in his lifetime to have a dog or any other animal…NO!!! But he has paid his time for his crime even though it is a trivial for what he did. Life time in jail would not be enough time. But our judicial system ruled differently. My question is with all the money he has….why PetSmart….he has the money for the best animal trainers in the world. But he choses PetSmart. This does not make sense….it is a publicity act and that alone. My question is can PetSmart decline anyone for chosing them from taking their classes just because of who they are….I have looked into the legal side of this and the answer is no. But keep letting him stay in the public eye with his dog and giving millions to the humane society….maybe this way while he is a cruel and heartless b@stard he will be so public that there would not be a chance he could get into animal fighting again. God bless his children and family…those who hurt animals the next step is child abuse or domestic violence. Please pray for him to have the stregnth not to hurt others and pray for his animals and family not to be hurt if has a “misstep”
As far as PetSmart is concerned…they have never been my favorite store and not my least favorite…but they did not have a legal choice to block him from their stores.
Comment from Mary
Time March 23, 2013 at 10:09 am
Have shopped at PetSmart for years and love the store! Today I am going back to Petco. Will never enter that store again
Comment from Chloe
Time March 23, 2013 at 10:52 am
Ok for everyone out there I understand your frustrations with Michael Vick getting another dog. I am a huge animal lover and I think he’s has changed. Why not try and have positive thinking over this rather than be negative. I believe people can change and yes it doesn’t change the fact that those dogs have suffered but we should give him one and ONLY one more chance. It seems to show that he is caring and trying to make up for something bad that has happened. Wouldn’t you be upset if you weren’t given another chance at something that you regret terribly? I am not a fan of Vick but god gives second chances lets be positive about this!
Comment from Kerri Shaw
Time March 6, 2013 at 7:28 pm
WILL NEVER SHOP AT ANY PETSMART AGAIN! REDEMPTION? NICE TRY..HE GOT CAUGHT.