Award to Vick angers animal activists

DALLAS, Feb. 8 (UPI) -- An award of a key to the city of Dallas to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has ignited controversy about such awards.

Vick, who admitted brutalizing and killing dogs for entertainment and served 19 months in prison, was given the key by Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway Saturday, The Dallas Morning News reported.

Caraway soon found himself explaining and defending how and why he decided Vick, in town for Super Bowl weekend, deserved an honor on the city's behalf, the newspaper said.

The resulting controversy led Mayor Tom Leppert to ask for a city review of how council members hand out ceremonial gifts.

"We don't condone it and clearly didn't approve it," Leppert said of the Vick award. "It's unfortunate, and I would rather have not seen the situation."

The key Caraway gave Vick was less than official, city officials explained. The official Dallas "keys" are made from gold or crystal and given out mostly to foreign dignitaries under strict protocol.

However, all city council members are allowed to hand out token keys, at a cost of $25 apiece, to whomever they please.

The question of who got such token keys never got much attention -- until word of Vick's award spread.

"It's shameful. I'm embarrassed that my city has given a key to a convicted felon accused of a violent, horrendous crime," Jonnie England, spokeswoman for the Metroplex Animal Coalition, said.

Caraway issued an apology late Monday.

"I care deeply about animals. I have two dogs of my own, and I am deeply sorry to offend anyone who loves animals," Caraway said in a prepared statement.