PHILADELPHIA — Animal rights groups and the Philadelphia Eagles are looking at ways they can join forces to combat dogfighting.

The team drew criticism after hiring convicted dogfighting ringleader Michael Vick. He wasn’t in attendance at Monday’s meeting.
Tom Hickey of DogPAC says he believes the upshot of the meeting was that the Eagles have a responsibility to battle dog fighting because of the Vick hire.
Eagles spokeswoman Pamela Browner-Crawley called the conversation a tough but constructive beginning.
She says the team has an obligation to the community and work with kids particularly, to discourage them from engaging in dog fighting or any animal abuse. A second meeting may be scheduled.