Michael Vick Dog: Admits to Owning a Pup After Dog Fighting Ring Imprisonment, Not a Pit Bull

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was imprisoned for 18 months in 2007 after being charged with owning and operating an illegal dog fighting ring. Now, the 32-year-old football star admits that he is currently a dog owner once again - and he swears that this time around the pup will simply be considered a loving family dog rather than a vicious blood sport game monster.

Vick released this statement on Thursday (just on Wednesday he declined to answer whether or not he once again owned a dog):

"I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family's decision to care for a pet. As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals. I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God's creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family. This is an opportunity to break the cycle. To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change."

In July 2007, Vick was charged with operating an unlawful dog fighting venture which was known as "Bad Newz Kennels." He was imprisoned and later released for good behavior on July 20, 2009, but then sentenced to two additional months on house arrest. Although Vick was not allowed to own a dog while on probation, he made it clear that he still desired one as a family pet. Many animal activists were perturbed by this, believing that Vick should never be allowed to own a dog ever again.

Even so, rumors started to surface that the Vicks recently acquired a new furry friend when the former Atlanta Falcons player tweeted a pic of him and his daughter presumably sitting at home, a box of open of Milk-Bone dog biscuits lying off to their right. The Twitpic was later deleted and replaced with a similar photo, this one sans Milk-Bones.

 Since his illegal dog fighting days, Vick has been an active member of the Humane Society, traveling to schools and speaking to students on the dangers of animal cruelty. According to Vick, ''This is an opportunity to break the cycle. To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change.''

Back in July, Vick admitted to CNN's Piers Morgan that he did not want to deprive his daughters from having the pet because of his crimes. Vick said he would ultimately allow his daughters to choose which breed of pup to get, but "it certainly won't be a pit bull." 

The Humane Society declined to comment.