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| The HSUS/K. Milani |
Michael Vick appears at his federal court arraignment in
Richmond, Va. on July 26. |
The Humane Society of the United States reacted favorably to the news that the National Football League has ordered Michael Vick not to attend training camp with the Atlanta Falcons, and the animal welfare group urged the league not to allow Vick to play while his charges of federal dogfighting crimes are still pending.
"Officials from the National Football League rightly recognized that it just cannot be business as usual for Vick and the
Falcons with this chilling set of facts laid out in the federal indictment," stated Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "The NFL has taken an important first step, and it is our sincerest hope that Michael
Vick not suit up for play prior to the resolution of these serious charges in federal court."
By July 23, more than 263,000 individuals contacted the NFL through The HSUS' online advocacy campaign, which began last week after a federal grand jury charged Vick and three co-defendants with allegedly operating a multi-state dogfighting ring. The HSUS urged the NFL to suspend Vick until the charges against him are aired in court.
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| The HSUS/K. Milani |
The eyes of the nation have been opened to the cruel reality
of animal fighting since Michael Vick was charged. |
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 portions of The HSUS' website (humanesociety.org) for parts of both Wednesday and Thursday.
The HSUS is renewing its call for Nike to sever its relationship with Vick while the dogfighting charges are pending.
Posted July 23, 2007. Updated July 26, 2007.
