PETA withdraws ad offer to Vick

PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Suspended NFL Quarterback Michael Vick said he'd shoot an ad for PETA and the group agreed, but now the animal rights group says 'no way.'

Both sides had been negotiating a deal to enlist Vick in an ad campaign to fight cruelty to dogs. It's what Vick wanted in return that brought negotiations to a halt.

Vick has been serving a 23 month federal prison sentence for his involvement in a dogfighting ring.

Despite public apologies from Michael Vick, the Norfolk-based animal rights group had serious doubts about Vick's sincerity. PETA had actually been working on a deal to use Vick in a public service campaign to fight animal cruelty. In exchange, Vick's lawyers wanted some assurance that PETA would support Vick's efforts to return to the NFL; PETA administrators refuse to play ball.

Daphna Nachminovitch, with PETA said, "We're not interested in being part of a cynical ploy that's nothing but public relations"

Citing a recent government report that listed several instances where Vick was personally involved in the cruelty and killing of dogs, PETA wants Vick to undergo extensive psychological testing.

Nachminovitch continued, "We believe that the behavior he has shown might very well be an indication of psychopathy and we're asking for a brain scan and a thorough psychiatric evaluation."

Ten on Your Side attempted to reach Vick's lawyers for some reaction to PETA's request, but our calls were not returned. As for the future of the proposed ad campaign with Vick, PETA says the deal is off unless Vick submits to the examinations.

"It's a perfectly reasonable request and if there's nothing to hide, why not just do it."

But wouldn't Vick be more useful to PETA if he did return to the NFL?

Not according to Nachminovitch, "Not if his message doesn't come from the heart."

And right now, Vick may be more focused on winning the heart of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, but can he do that without PETA's blessing.

PETA administrators faxed a letter to the NFL commissioner Thursday, asking for further testing on Vick before making any decisions about his future. Again, several calls to Vick's attorneys were NOT returned.