I was pretty surprised when I heard that Michael Vick had agreed to appear on Oprah, considering she’s well known for covering animal welfare & advocacy themes. I never imagined he’d show his face in front of millions of viewers and openly discuss his crimes (the only other interview he’s granted since he was released was a short 60 Minutes piece for which his lawyer was present.)
Given these facts, I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me that he’s since backed out of the Oprah deal.
The New York Post has reported that Vick bailed on the interview because owners of his former dogs were in conversations with Harpo (Oprah’s production company) to confront him on the show. Despite Vick’s claims that he’s learned the error of his ways, the truth was revealed when Richard Hunter (a Dallas radio announcer who adopted one of Vick’s former dogs) attempted to confront him at a recent event. Vick’s bodyguards told Hunter, “We don’t care about the dog”, and Vick himself simply turned and walked away when he was shown a photo. Anyone with feelings of remorse, or even empathy, wouldn’t have presented himself so callously.
Backing out of the Oprah appearance was a brilliant display of cowardice on Michael’s part. Wayne Pacelle, are you listening? If Vick were truly rehabilitated, why would he shy away from coming face to face with his former dogs and their new owners? You’d think he’d want to thank those who have worked so hard to help these poor dogs, who sustained the worst of abuse and torture. But no. Instead, he chooses to run away, back to his entourage and his millions. Stay classy, MV…
Well, everyone know he is cruel by nature. Something that will nvr change unless something or someone he really love is being taken away tragically. Retribution might be late but it always arrive.
I’m a volunteer at a humane society facility. We were made aware that Vick will give talks about his “rehabilitated ways” for your group, but if your group is outside the state of his conviction, he charges $10,000. How’s that for capitalizing on his crimes? Needless to say, we passed on the opportunity.
It is just sad to see so many “rescue workers” talking about revenge when his name comes up. Dog fighting is a bigger issue than Michael Vick, and calling him names or wish and evil painful death on him does nothing to stop what is going on. His talks to dog fighters need to stop dog fighting to do good, not appease people who, well frankly if Michael Vick gave them a kidney they would still call him cruel. Even if it is cpourt appointed, even if it is to get back in the NFL, if he gets people to stop dog fighting isn’t that the goal? Truthfully for all these people who are yelling about how awful he is, how many dog fighters have you stopped? changes their way of thinking? For some reason people think they have to like Michael Vick, truth is you don’t, as much as you don’t care about him, he probably is not out to make you his friend either. But he is and can be useful to stop dog fighting, and isn’t that a goal? with all problems there are long term and short term solutions and using Michael Vick to break the silence of dog fighting can be a helpful and useful goal. Think who do you think a dog fighter, or potential dog fighter would want to hear from on Oprah Vick or the people who adopted his dogs? ( and trust me if the new owners were yelling and calling him names the show turns into jerry springer and no one gets a point across) It’s Vick and you may not like it, but how are you going to reach the people who need to be reached?
This simply shows the cowardly inhumane behavior of Michael Vick. I would never be fooled into believing that any human of his caliber (cruel, greedy, vicious) could be rehabilitated to the degree of ever being trustworthy with another animal. With the swiftness of his supposed about-face, I cannot believe that anyone was fooled. He’s doing what he has been instructed to do by his legal staff, nothing more. Michael Vick is an ugly excuse for humanity. The greed and ‘laugh in your face’ attitude that he projects is sickening. He should still be paying and serving time for the torture and deaths of each and every animal that he ever got ahold of. A tiger does not change his stripes! I was raised in South Eastern Virginia and I’m all but ashamed to be that closely associated with this monster. Blessings to all of the wonderful people involved in the saving of his dogs. I am not surprised that Michael Vick isn’t man enough to face a few of his previous dogs and their new families and supporters. Michael Vick is no man.
Michael Vick is a sick coward that exhibits tendencies of antisocial behavior. The next step for Vick could be hurting a human. He was forgiven hideous crimes because he is a famous athlete. It is for this reason, I believe that he figured that he would get the same understanding and treatment the he received as an athlete. $10,000. is a drop in the bucket for this man. That would be like fining the average individual $10.00. Shame on the court system for being influenced by fame. I hope that this man may never be allowed to have another pet!