The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/8/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: COURTESY JESSICA WINTON A pooch pounces on a plush Michael Vick dog toy created by University alumna Jessica Winton and founder of Headline Pet Toys. The toy debuted in December 2007. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: COURTESY JESSICA WINTON A dog gets payback on a plush Michael Vick dog toy created by University alumnus Jessica Winton and founder of Headline Pet Toys. [Click to enlarge]

Bailey and Bentley are two Shih Tzus that were looking for revenge.

So when they saw what looked to be former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, they pounced on him like two hungry lions in the jungle. What ensued was a tug-of-war battle between two canines fighting for which

one would eat the admitted dog fighter. Little did Bailey and Bentley know that the figure they were mauling wasn't actually Vick, but a 13-inch plush toy replica.

The toy was created by University alumnus Jessica Winton, who played soccer for the Bulldogs from 2001-2003. She created this toy for a business she started called Headline Pet Toys. The Vick plush toy is the first item on her Web site, www.headlinepettoys.com.

"I really wanted to do something involving animals," Winton said. "I have two Shih Tzus so I thought this would be fun."

Bailey and Bentley have lived with Winton since her days in Athens.

"It's so funny to watch them carry (the) Vick (toy) in their mouths," she said. "(Bailey) will have his legs and (Bentley) will have his head, and all you can see is No. 7."

The Web site's life debuted on the Internet in the first week of December 2007. Winton said that in the process of starting her own business, she wanted to help "raise awareness for animal abuse." Winton added she will donate a percentage of the business' profit to animal charities, once the charities are selected.

The idea for the Vick toy came from Winton's father, who told her it would be a good idea to allow all the dogs in the world to get some revenge on Vick.

Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail on Dec. 10, 2007 for his role in an illegal dog fighting ring

in his hometown of Newport News, Va. When Winton heard the news of Vick's involvement, it upset her, as she is a self-proclaimed "true dog lover."

"I thought it was terrible. This was unbelievable for someone that was given the dream to play sports professionally," she said. "He's playing in front of millions of fans. I can't believe this was his decision."

Winton and some of her friends recently trekked to Richmond to hand out fliers for the toy outside the courthouse where Vick was arraigned and later sentenced.

Winton's jump into the business world comes after about three-and-a-half years of working in television. After graduating from the University, Winton worked as a casting producer for the television shows "What Not to Wear" on TLC, "Stump the Schwab," which aired on ESPN and the Drew Carey-hosted "Power of 10" on CBS. Winton, who majored in speech communications, now resides in New York City.

Winton accomplished a lot on the soccer field during her time at the University.

After tearing two ACL's in her sophomore and junior years, she set the Bulldogs' single game scoring record during her senior campaign by notching four goals against Liberty in 2003. She scored 16 goals during that season, placing her in second place behind Stephanie Yarem in single season goals scored. Yarem scored 18 in 1997.

As for Winton's business, she said more toys will be added soon. With the upcoming presidential election, there will be candidates from both political parties available, allowing the dogs to vent theirs' and their owners' political frustrations.

As of now, the Vick toy is the only item for a business that consists "of six people, two Shih Tzus, one golden retriever, one sheep dog and too many cats to count."

"We're just all animal lovers," Winton said. "We thought this was a great chance to raise awareness about animal abuse."

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