Fox News host: Vick should be 'executed'

NEW YORK, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- Fox News analyst Tucker Carlson says Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick deserved to be executed for torturing and killing dogs.

Speaking Tuesday while filling in for regular Fox News host Sean Hannity, Carlson said Vick had "killed dogs. And he did so in a heartless and cruel way. And I think, personally, he should've been executed for that."

Carlson then criticized U.S. President Barack Obama for expressing support for the controversial signal-caller, who served 19 months in prison in connection with his dogfighting activities while playing for the Atlanta Falcons.

Vick "wasn't (executed), but the idea that the president of the United States would be getting behind someone who murdered dogs? Kind of beyond the pale," Carlson said.

The White House confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that Obama called Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie to express appreciation for the businessman giving the former Virginia Tech star a second chance in Philadelphia after Donovan McNabb was dealt to the Washington Redskins.

The quarterback has responded with an MVP-caliber comeback performance this year for the NFC East champion Eagles (10-5).