The NFL, Media and PETA are off-sides on Vick.

Michael Vick has not yet been convicted of a crime. He has been indicted on charges of owning the property where fights were held, and helping fund and operate an interstate dogfighting ring. He will not return to court until Nov. 26 to corroborate his not-guilty plea.

In the interim, Mr. Vick will not play a down of football. PETA is dragging his name through the mud with its targeted protests. This is wrong. New NFL commissioner Roger Goodell’s and Falcons owner Arthur Blank’s encouragements of a leave of absence are premature. We need to learn the lesson of the Duke rape case and wait for due process.

Considering the higher threshold of evidence for a federal indictment, it is not likely that he is without guilt. The evidence appears to be extensive. Dogfights likely took place on his property. Vick’s co-defendant Tony Taylor pled guilty to similar charges Monday. But shouldn’t I wait until a resolution in court to judge this man?

An apologetic Vick spoke on a Georgia radio show Monday and seemed willing to do what was necessary to pay his debt to society and clear his name. Society’s focus needs to be honed on stopping this practice and using Vick as an asset to this end.

Parts of the hip-hop and black communities have different views on dogfighting.

Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis’ quickly retracted statement to Virginia’s WAVY-TV demonstrated this. “It can’t be too bad of a crime,” he said. “I think people should mind their business.”

This culture views dogs in the same way others view insects. No one is called out for crushing an ant, swatting a fly or flicking a spider. The accusations in this case are horrific, though, and include electrocuting, drowning and bludgeoning dogs until they died.

This misguided view is the root of the problem that needs to be handled.

Mr. Vick will likely be doing public service announcements about the cruelty of dogfighting.

These dogs are owned responsibly by most owners but too many train their dogs to be violent and overprotective. This mentality and these dogs are dangerous.

PETA should scream about these actions rather than try to sack the accused before the play that will be this trial begins.