Fresh Loaf

Arthur & Mack: He’s more than paid his debt. It’s time for him to play ball. We’ve all messed around on some occasion. The punishment was a little excessive. They’ve done damage to his entire career. I would have bought season tickets if the Falcons got him back. For him personally, he should do something for dogs just to show people he’s not the tyrant they portrayed in the newspapers. For me, it’s not really necessary. People are going to love their dogs regardless. He really didn’t mess up anything.

Vor & Ceesah: He hasn’t paid enough. Eighteen months is a slap on the wrist. The NFL should set an example that this stuff will not be tolerated. It’s not like the NFL really took action against him. The government and the state took him to jail. The NFL should ban him for another two years. Vick sets such a bad example for the breed. We get a lot of crap — I can’t even take Ceesah to most day cares in the city. Vick has still got his mansion and his money. Where it really hurts him is not being able to play.

Dante & Diesel: Yes. I agree with the ruling that he should never own another dog, but he’s paid the price more than anybody for dog fighting. There’s a lot of people that fight dogs. They put a huge name on it to take responsibility. But the punishment was appropriate. I don’t know whether he’s remorseful, but he’s obligated to do something for these dog organizations. I’d give him a chance [with another team], and whoever wants to support him … that’s up to them. But I’m an Atlanta Falcons supporter, and I’d rather not support him. Dogs are close to my heart.

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“Lucky 7,” a female pit bull rescued from fallen Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was killed last Friday in Florida when she was struck by a car.

The dog was one of three that were fostered by Smyrna tattoo artist Brandon Bond and his organization, Atlanta Pitbull Rescue. The dog was eventually adopted by a man in Florida.

According to Bond, Lucky 7 was used as a “breeding dog” on the Vick property where rape stands were discovered, which are benches used in forced breeding and torture. Her face and legs were covered with scars from puncture wounds and tears from teeth where she had obviously been attacked by the males during breeding and fighting. She was pregnant when she was confiscated, and lost the puppies when she was spayed by veterinarians with the U.S. Justice department.

“She was so happy, full of life, curious, and not afraid of anything,” Bond said. “She never showed one single sign of aggression, or unhappiness, it was like she had forgotten the horrors of her past entirely. Today is a sad day for animal lovers everywhere.”

Lucky 7 escaped from her yard on Friday, and was struck by a car. The motorist stopped and drove the dog to an animal hospital, but it died en route.

“She finally got to be a dog, for the first time in her life,” Bond said. “She was happy, her new dad gave her the best six months of her life, and I know she was grateful for it, I could see it in her smile. She even slept in his bed with him. It’s a terrible loss.”

(Photo courtesy Atlanta Pitbull Rescue)

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You may have noticed our print cover this week: A Jack Russell terrier named Roux is digging her teeth deep into a Michael Vick jersey.

No. 7. Get it? 2007? Well, I thought it was a witty idea.

Roux, who’s owned and trained by my friend Melissa Nunnink, actually was Staff Photographer Joeff Davis’ second model for the cover shoot. The first was Bella, a pit bull whose time was volunteered by former CL staffer Noah Gardenswartz.

Here’s the layout we gussied up for Bella. We liked both shots, but I wanted to show folks Bella to let you decide whether we picked the right photo. And also, well, because she’s kinda cute — doncha think? And, looking into Bella’s noble pose … doesn’t it make you even more sick that Michael Vick would pick on pit bulls?

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