Call it poetic justice. Michael Vick, whose career in professional football is likely over after he admitted that he participated in an illegal dogfighting operation, will now be chewed to pieces by dogs.

Well, an effigy of him will be, at any rate.

A new dog-toy company has begun manufacturing Michael Vick chew toys for dogs. At www.vickdogchewtoy.com , one can purchase a Vick Dog Chew, a small rubber effigy of the (former?) Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

Though the company claims in small print on its Web site that “any similarities to The National Football League MVP and All Star Michael Vick are false,” the intention is clear: Vick took part in horrific violence towards dogs for money, so it’s only appropriate that the canines get their shot at revenge.

Of course, it’s not an entirely original idea. At www.politicalpettoys.com, one can choose from a wide selection of political figures whose effigies can be mauled by zealous mutts, including George W. Bush, Hillary Clinton, Osama Bin Ladin and Karl Rove. It must be satisfying to watch one’s favorite political boogeyman be gnawed at viciously.

But humor aside, the Vick story raises serious concerns. While the dog toys have their humorous aspect, it is important that the offense itself be categorically denounced. Dogfighting is a brutal and inhumane sport that capitalizes on people’s love of cruelty.

The episode is especially unfortunate given how we, as a society, put athletes on a pedestal as heroes and role-models for our children.

Given this tendency, it is important that parents convey that physical prowess does not equal morality.