Animal supporters ask Eagles for aid

The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to appease fans and animal welfare groups following the team’s decision to sign convicted dog torturer Michael Vick, which drew public outcry. The team is floating a pro-pet plan that would send Eagles players to schools and dispatch a mobile animal-care van.

The Philadelphia Eagles are looking to appease fans and animal welfare groups following the team’s decision to sign convicted dog torturer Michael Vick, which drew public outcry. The team is floating a pro-pet plan that would send Eagles players to schools and dispatch a mobile animal-care van.

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Tom Hickey is Chairman of DogPAC, a political advocacy group that promotes better laws and programs for the well-being of dogs. He says he’s cautiously optimistic about the program.

Hickey: I’m looking at this as a work in progress. There’s been no finalization of the plan yet. I think there’s some areas that we’re discussing that have potentially very good long term effects but I’m still waiting to see what level of commitment the Eagles are prepared to make as well as what level of commitment long-term they’re willing to make.

Hickey wants the Eagles to match Vick’s salary and use the money to create a rehabilitation center for abused and neglected dogs. The center would offer medical and behavioral therapy so the animals can be adopted. It’s not part of the current plan but Hickey says he will keep pushing the idea.