People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is planning a demonstration for Vick’s appearance at Surry County Circuit Court on Tuesday, when he is expected to plead guilty to two felony counts in a deal with prosecutors that calls for a suspended sentence and probation. The plea would resolve his last pending criminal charges and, his lawyers hope, make him eligible for early release from prison and into a halfway house designed to ease his return to society.

According to the Bureau of Prisons Web site, Vick is scheduled to be released from the federal penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., next July 20 — 20 months since he reported in advance of his Dec. 10, 2007, sentencing to begin serving his time.

Vick was convicted of the federal charges in August 2007 when he admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in rural Surry County. He also admitted to participating in the killing of several underperforming dogs.

PETA, for one, does not consider Vick’s case closed.

“We don’t see any way people could cheer for him,” PETA spokesman Dan Shannon said Monday. “Our view it he’s got to do something and get as active fighting against dogfighting as he was participating in it. If he does that, we’ll reconsider our position. ... That will determine not just how PETA reacts, but also how the public and the NFL and individual teams react.”

In supporting Vick, several current NFL players brought up other instances of players being allowed back into the league after various legal issues.

“All the opportunities Pacman Jones got, why can’t Michael Vick? If a guy gets in trouble repeatedly — which crime is bigger? I don’t know,” Dolphins defensive end Vonnie Holliday said. “I think he should get an opportunity to have a second chance.”

Said former Falcons teammate Alge Crumpler, now with the Titans: “Somebody’s got to give him an opportunity. I’ve never thought Michael was a bad person. I’ve never thought he was a detriment to any team. ... He just made a stupid mistake.”

Given that the bottom line in the NFL is winning, if Vick can still play, he just might get that opportunity.

He was once, after all, among the league’s most visible and exciting players after being chosen with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft.

“He’s got so much talent, it would be a shame if he didn’t play again,” Redskins running back Clinton Portis said. “He can do it — guys miss a year due to injury and come back all the time.”

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