Michael Vick Petitioning For Animal Rights In Pennsylvania

Pets in Pennsylvania have an unlikely advocate.

Michael Vick, who served jail time for his role in an interstate dogfighting ring, announced he is meeting with Pennsylvania lawmakers to push for legislation that would protect animals from being left in hot cars.

Vick, who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers and is a former Philadelphia Eagle, has launched an online petition to get lawmakers in Pennsylvania to act on the “Pets in Cars” bill.

PA House Bill 1516 would give police officers authority to save a dog or cat that was stuck in a hot car. “An officer who removes a cat or dog from a hot car would not be held liable for damages,” Vick explained in the introduction to his petition on GoPetition.com.

“There are currently only 17 states that have laws to protect animals from being left in hot cars. Michael Vick is trying to make it 18,” Vick said.

YahooSports.com reports Vick will be in Harrisburg Tuesday.

He will be joined by school children from Harrisburg, according to Vick’s petition. “The goal is to pass an important animal welfare bill and teach children the political process along the way,” he said. “Vick is determined to continue his advocacy even after his NFL career. He wants his fans to become animal welfare advocates too.”

According to YahooSports, Vick has decided to become part of the solution to animal rights. “I was part of the problem. Now, I’m an unlikely advocate. But, I want to ask my fans to be advocates too. I have five million fans on social media and we can use those numbers to make real changes to the laws,” Vick told Yahoo Sports.

Vick served 21 months in prison after pleading guilty in 2007 to felony charges related to dogfighting.

(PHOTO: Wikimedia Commons)