Michael Vick to lobby for law to protect animals in hot cars

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Michael Vick smiles as he walks off the field following an NFL football game against …

Michael Vick is heading to the state Capitol to lobby legislators on a bill that would help protect pets left in hot cars.

Given his past – conviction for his role in a dogfighting ring in 2007 and nearly two years spent in prison – this is a turnaround of major proportions.

The Steelers quarterback will travel from Pittsburgh to Harrisburg on Tuesday and use his status to make change, Yahoo!

What it does: The bills are mirror images of each other and would allow police officers, public safety professionals and humane officers to remove endangered animals from an unattended vehicle, even if it means breaking out a car’s window. “I was part of the problem”, Mr. Vick said in a news release today.

“I can’t change the minds of certain people but as long as I can be proactive I think that is the best part of this whole thing”, Vick responded. Yahoo Sports has learned that on Tuesday, Vick will introduce legislation at the Pennsylvania state house in Harrisburg on behalf of animals. Now, my perspective can help reach people that activists can’t reach.

Vick is encouraging his fans to sign a petition for the “Pets in Cars” bill on his Facebook page.

State Rep. Jake Wheatley Jr. and State Rep. Ed Gainey from the Pittsburgh area will host Vick’s legislative visit.

“I know that I’m an enlightened advocate” for animal welfare, he said. I made a decision to make change and I stand by that.

His participation in the Pennsylvania pets in cars bill seems to be the latest example of Vick trying to put his money where his mouth is.