Michael Vick Supporting Bill To Save Pets' Lives
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Steeler Michael Vick is heading to Harrisburg Tuesday to support what may seem like an unlikely cause: It's a bill that could save the lives of dogs and cats.
House Bill 1516 would allow a police officer, humane officer, firefighter or security guard to break into a car to rescue an animal and not be held liable for damages.
Michael Vick heard about it, and is now backing it.
In fact, the top of his Facebook page now has a photo of the State Capitol and plea for fans to sign a petition.
The page even addresses what some are thinking with a line that reads: "Unlikely advocates, together we will be agents of change."
Unlikely because of Vick's past; he went to prison for his role in a dog-fighting operation, and there were protests when the Steelers signed him.
Representative Jake Wheatley, a Democrat who represents the Hill District, is one of Vick's hosts in Harrisburg.
"This is another example of a person who has faced some adversity, paid his debt to society, and now wants to use that experience to provide some guidance for others so they don't have to make similar mistakes," said Rep. Wheatley. "I take my hat off to him."
Vick now has relationship with the Humane Society of the United States.
The Western Pennsylvania Humane Society on Pittsburgh's North Side has no connection to Vick and is independent from the national group, but when it comes to this bill: "I think it's a step in the right direction," said Mary Withrow, Director of Government Affairs for the group. "I think we do need something to be done on a statewide level."
Withrow says on a 90 degree day, a dog inside a car can face temperatures of 120 degrees. She played a role in getting similar legislation passed this fall by Pittsburgh City Council.
"I think anybody that leaves an animal in a car where the animal is harmed or possibly dead, should be charged with a crime," she said.
The bill in Harrisburg would also require the first responder to leave a note on the vehicle before taking the dog or cat to a veterinarian.
Vick plans on taking signatures from the petition with him to Harrisburg Tuesday, as well some children from Harrisburg-area schools.
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