WBRZ - Baton Rouge

PHILADELPHIA - Michael Vick hopes to own a dog again someday - and the head of the Humane Society of the United States says he's fine with that, once Vick is off probation.

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback and convicted dogfighting-ring operator tells TheGrio.com that he genuinely cares for animals and one day hopes to have a dog as a household pet.

Vick says it would a "big step" in his rehabilitation process.

Vick served 18 months in prison after being convicted in 2007.

A federal judge also banned Vick from owning a dog during three years of probation after his release from prison.

Humane Society president Wayne Pacelle says it's "too early" for Vick to have a dog now, but says it could be a "good thing" for Vick and his family after his probation ends.

But a spokeswoman for the animal rights group PETA says letting Vick have a dog would be like giving a pedophile free access to children.