Animal activists get mixed reaction at Vick's return to Atlanta

By Jonathan Shapiro

Atlanta, GA –
Yesterday Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick returned to Atlanta to play the Falcons.

Animal activists were also on hand.

Amy Ciontos has been rescuing pitbulls in Southwest Atlanta for 12 years.

She's standing in front of the Georgia Dome, with her black pitbull, Lenox, handing out facts sheets about dog fighting.

CIONTOS: We've gotten great reception with Lenox. Lenox is a great breed ambassador. We're not here saying Mike Vick sucks. What happened happened. I actually thank the man because it brought public attention. Before that no one had ever heard of it.

Not all reactions were positive.

Candace Hunziker who works with In Defense of Animals said she was forced to call off her rally midway through as a result of belligerent fans.

HUNZIKER: They thought we were anti Michael Vick, and that just is not our message. We support and applaud all his efforts that he's done with the Human Society. But we want him to be more involved. Wherever Michael Vick goes, the message of anti-dog fighting should go.

As for the game, after some initial boos, Vick won over fans by scoring two touchdowns, leading to chants of "We Want Vick" from the crowd.

For WABE, I'm Jonathan Shapiro.