Who let the dog chew toys out?

"Let Hercules himself do what he may,The cat will mew and dog will have his day."-
William Shakespeare, Hamlet 5.1

Sparked by a minor league baseball team's promotion in California and a clever idea from a longtime supporter, the St. Paul Saints are making plans to give away 2,500 "Michael Vick" dog chew toys designed with the Atlanta Falcons' team colors and the No. 7 worn by the team's embattled quarterback.

"People expect so many crazy things from us," said Sean Aronson, director of media relations for the American Association baseball team. "When the idea was presented to us, we simply couldn't resist."

Vick pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges related to an alleged dogfighting ring. His trial begins Nov. 26.

The details described in the 18-page indictment against Vick and the national uproar that has ensued led NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to order Vick to stay away from training camp while the league investigates.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said the team considered suspending Vick for the maximum four games allowed under the collective bargaining agreement, but agreed to let Goodell handle it at this point.

Fans have protested the Falcons’ Flowery Ranch, Ga., complex, the NFL offices in New York and outside the Richmond, Va., courtroom in which Vick was arraigned.

Sunday, the Long Beach (Calif.) Armada minor league baseball team will hold a "Michael Vick Animal Awareness Day." Any fan who brings in a Vick shirt or jersey to be thrown into a bonfire receives free admission and a donation in their name to a local animal rights organization.
A Saints fan, who doesn't want his name published, came up with the chew toy idea and emailed it to Aronson.

Aronson said the Saints would have more details on the promotion on Monday. He added: "We think it's a great idea. It's a way for our fans to let their dogs get back at Michael Vick."