PETA thank members like ME for the continous support against VICK- to plead guilty

Dear Katherine,

I'm sure you've heard that Michael Vick will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges next Monday. More news is coming!

For your part in this campaign, thank you. More than 300,000 people responded to our calls for action with targeted e-mails, phone calls, and letters (and some even showed up in person to demonstrate!). The NFL and Vick's sponsors took notice—big time.

Your quick action not only will help ensure that Vick is held accountable for his cruel actions but will also help save other dogs from such a fate. You have spoken out loudly and clearly that this form of cruelty will not be tolerated any time, anywhere, or from anyone, superstar or not.

Vick and his cohorts are likely to go to prison. And Vick has been suspended from the National Football League indefinitely. His endorsement contracts have been voided. Nothing can bring those dogs back, but public outcry has ensured that the crimes haven't been swept under the rug and won't go unpunished.

Now, please, take one more action. PETA is calling on the NFL to add cruelty to animals—in all its forms—to its personal conduct policy. Please e-mail NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to ask him to update the NFL's policy with a statement that animal abuse will not be tolerated.

The best deterrent for players tempted by cowardly and cruel bloodsports is for them to know that their participation would mean professional ruin. If the NFL incorporates a no-tolerance policy for cruelty in its rules, we'll have taken a giant step toward eliminating one of the most vicious "sports" ever by removing the glamour of professional athletes associated with it. So please, e-mail the commissioner and ask your friends and family to do so as well. Right away.

Thank you again—your support means everything to me, to all of us, and, of course, to the animals you help. I look forward to working with you to achieve many more victories in the battle for animal rights.

For the animals,

Ingrid E. Newkirk
President