Animal rights groups hopeful Vick will help cause

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NEW YORK (The Associated Press) - By RACHEL COHEN

Leaders of animal rights groups plan to monitor Michael Vick closely now that he has been conditionally reinstated to the NFL.

Some are hopeful he can discourage others from participating in dogfighting, which landed Vick in prison for 18 months. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals warned it will "watch him like a hawk."

Humane Society of the United States president Wayne Pacelle met with Vick in federal prison in the spring about how the quarterback could help.

"He has an opportunity to make some amends for his past behavior," Pacelle said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. "We think he should seize it with gusto. I don't think the public is going to be pleased if he just gets back into football and puts aside the anti-dogfighting activities."

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals president Ed Sayres praised commissioner Roger Goodell's ruling.

"While his decision to reinstate Mr. Vick undoubtedly will be met with cheers by some and derision by others, it is clear that the commissioner has been particularly thoughtful and has weighed every factor in his deliberations," Sayres said in a statement. "The ASPCA can only offer him our gratitude for the gravity to which he has lent the issue of animal cruelty.

"Opportunities for redemption are rare _ but that is exactly the opportunity that awaits Mr. Vick. We hope that he rises to the occasion and proves worthy of the rare second chance commissioner Goodell has granted him."

PETA used the news of Vick's reinstatement Monday to lobby the NFL to add cruelty to animals to its personal-conduct policy.

"He has served his reduced sentence, but no child should ever look up to Vick as a role model," PETA said in a statement. "And for the sake of all the young football fans and all the dogs he electrocuted, drowned, slammed to the ground, and hanged, we are going to watch him like a hawk."

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