Response to the Atlanta Falcons Press Conference

Written by PETA

Posted 07-24-2007

86 Comments

Falcons Owner Arthur Blank gave a press conference this afternoon to present the Falcons’ official position on the Vick case. Here’s what PETA told the media about our reaction:

PETA commends Arthur Blank and the Falcons for not being satisfied with a voluntary leave of absence for Michael Vick. Regardless of the outcome of the trial, truckloads of illegal dogfighting equipment and 66 dogs—many of whom had injuries associated with dogfighting—were seized from Vick’s property. Based on those facts alone, a voluntary leave of absence would clearly not be satisfactory.
PETA also commends the Falcons for drafting the paperwork for a four-week suspension, mentioned by Blank as a “first step” in disciplining Vick. We continue to call on the NFL to suspend Vick immediately and to permanently bar him from the league if convicted of the charges detailed in the indictment.
PETA appreciates Arthur Blank’s statement, “How anyone could participate in dogfighting is incomprehensible to me,” which echoed the feelings of many millions of Americans and football fans.
Because of the Falcons’ willingness to suspend Vick, PETA is canceling plans to protest outside the Falcons’ training camp on Thursday. Instead, PETA will demonstrate outside NikeTown stores nationwide, demanding that Nike—which has stated that it will continue to sell Michael Vick merchandise—drop its corporate partnership with Vick.

Tags:

PETA, conference, Vick, john, lennon, maher, falcons, press, arthur, blank

Recent Comments

XanderGT commented:

8-14-2007 1:38 AM

You know...you PETA folks have been waiting for somethin like this to happen. High profile football star in a dogfighting case...I bet you guys are loving this exposure. Vick has not been convicted of anything and you people are going to his endorsers and putting pressure on all his affiliates before his trial. You have your cause and I support it...but if this was just some guy out there it wouldnt be nearly as big as this in terms of media coverage. Micheal Vick has already lost everything...its his fault. But let him be until trial. You guys are out for his blood.
Michele commented:

8-1-2007 9:44 PM

Patricia PETA was not in existence in the 60s!! Check your facts before you come out sounding so ignorant.
Patricia commented:

8-1-2007 12:57 AM

Dog fighting didn't begin with Blacks. I grew up in a small town in South Carolina and often seen my fellow white high school students promote and have dog fights every weekend with their pit bulls. I would like to know where was PETA or the Humane Society in the 60's in Mississippi when Bull Connally unleashed his dogs on humans? I didn't hear of any protest back then. Blacks in American will never get a fair trail because we have 2 justice systems which is broken down between racial barriers. Although Mike Vick has the money to fight this case. He is still black and white people love their animals over humans. Except when it comes to shooting ducks hunting deers they call this a sport. After all VicePresident Dick Chenney got away with shooting his friend. The Feds concluded that this was an accident. Double standards!
SoxSweepAgain commented:

7-29-2007 9:40 AM

I eat meat and don't worry about buying leather but MAN does this one get me. I'm on your side for this one. And if it had been some white redneck linebacker doing this I'd be JUST as angry for you idiots who say this is a racial thing. It's NOT. It's a DOG thing for a lot of us. Going to hug my four Labradors now.
Vickisdvictimhere! commented:

7-27-2007 8:00 PM

you people suck and make me sick to my stomach! you convict with no jury and your trying to destroy someones life not a animals! What about the hungry people what about iraq what about hurricane katrina! i love animals and had many of them but at the end of the day thats whats they are animals! so its my turn to convict you cat hoarders and dog kissers! let the court and the jury take care of this issue you just hate to see someone young and rich with money! why dont you all go kiss your pets in the mouth and mike vicks ass!!!!!!!!7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7!
bertino andre commented:

7-27-2007 3:33 PM

to kathy garrey unfortunately also hunting makes animals suffer a lot and it's not just a shot in the head and it's all over! sometimes the animal lives on for days until it dies or it's wounded on many parts of the body and then it's brutally killed with the knife or dog's teeth! so me i'm against every kind of sport involving animal killing hunting bullfight dogfight cockfight and also horse races because nobody asked the horse before if it wants to run but it is hidden and forced and often also dies! the human being has to learn through history that using animals is bad and ruthless and humans should just entertain themselves without finding pleasure in stressing abusing or killing innocent animals because it's against human dignity and time shall give the animal protectors right there's no other issue for the future sooner or later!
bernardo san felice commented:

7-27-2007 3:19 PM

warren i'm just happy that you are not president! here we got anotherone who does not read. peta never said that animals are equal to humans but different and they have a right to be different! you antibloggers are all idiots with paranoia read first and reflect use your brains! go to digg in the peta files and then come to discuss! it's this thing which brings me almost to resignation. a bad person is able to learn and become a better being but an idiot is dangerous because he shall always tell us that red is green and when the snow falls that the sun is shining! you never can admit your ignorance because you think hell is heaven and shit is honey and you are ready to prove it!!!
ann commented:

7-27-2007 2:59 PM

mr backwoodz r u sure ur name is't " backward"? lol
ann commented:

7-27-2007 2:55 PM

congrats to whoever hired a helicopter flying over falcons's training camp yesterday with a banner says " new team name? the dog killer team?" lol wonderful idea hope i can hire helicopter fly over their trainning camp everyday.
Cara commented:

7-27-2007 1:22 PM

Though many times I have been dissapointed in the Justice System in this beautiful country of oursGod Bless Americaand the the brave who protect it. This is a huge issue and if he is guilty as I personally believe in my animal loving heart and soul then he will be dealt with accordingly not only by the law but also by the highest law. I have never been the church going bible reading type but I was raised to know right from wrong and I do believe in the Almighty and there is one thing I know "GOD LOVES ALL ANIMALS" look it up!! I have dogs cats horses and try to help in anyway I can concerning an animal. Pets enrich your lives they love you unconditionally they are apart of my famiy. These poor dogs that were so horribly raised and abused could have been someone's beloved pet but instead tortured practically from the time they were born. Unfortunately most of these dogs will probably have to be humanely uthinized. PETA like them or not don't really care you are entitled to your own opinions. I say more power to them at least there is an organization out there with there hearts in the right place. As human beings we should have a mix of intellect common sense compassion to name a few. I see none of those things in a person such as this. To all of you who stand up and speak for the animals keep up the good work and for the rest of you who don't have a clue. Your Pathetic!!!!

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