Court Asks to Order Brutal Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick to Pay up to $900,000 to Care for 54 Pit Pulls Seized from his Atlanta Property

This could be one more nail in the coffin of the profiteering of Michael Vick from Brutal and bloody dogfighting. Seems fair as many also had to be euthanized due to horrible conditions he and his cronies kept them in. We can only hope.

For those who don't remember, here is the story we put out that speaks to the brutal methods of Michael Vick - http://geari.blogspot.com/2007/08/michael-vick-former-quarterback-of.html

Article:

Vick faces $900,000 bill for dog care

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/11/20/vick.dogs/index.html

(CNN) -- The government asked a federal court Tuesday to order former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to keep on hand assets valued at more than $900,000 -- the amount earmarked for the care of 54 pit bulls.

Michael Vick leaves court in Richmond, Viriginia, in August after pleading guilty to dogfighting charges.

The animals were found on his property when a dogfighting operation was busted last April.

Vick turned himself in to authorities Monday to get a jump start on serving his sentence for running the ring.

In a motion filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson noted that Vick, in his plea agreement, agreed to pay "restitution for the full amount of the costs associated with the disposition of all dogs" in the case.

Vick agreed that those costs could include "the long-term care and/or the humane euthanasia of some or all of those animals," which were seized from the "Bad Newz Kennels" on his property in Surry County, Virginia.

The motion said that only a restraining order can ensure that Vick's assets are not placed beyond the reach of the government.

It noted that Vick's financial condition is deteriorating, and cited the team's attempt to recoup bonus money from his 10-year, $130 million 2004 football contract; his alleged default on a $1.3 million bank loan for a wine store; another bank lawsuit seeking payment for default on a $2.5 million line of credit; and yet another bank's lawsuit seeking at least $2 million for loans related to a car-rental business.

"In addition, published reports also indicate that Vick is in the process of selling assets, specifically a suburban Atlanta home listed at $4.5 million," it said.

Vick, 27, is being held at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia, until an upcoming sentencing hearing.

He pleaded guilty in August to a federal conspiracy charge of bankrolling the dogfighting operation after three associates admitted their own roles in the ring and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. See a timeline of events in the case »

Vick, who has been suspended indefinitely by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, faces 12 to 18 months in prison on the conspiracy charge.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 10.

On September 25, a Virginia grand jury indicted Vick and the three co-defendants on state charges of running a dogfighting ring.

The Surry County grand jury brought two felony charges against the four men: one count of unlawfully torturing and killing dogs and one of promoting dogfights. Each could result in a five-year prison term.

Possible that Most Dogs Related to Abuse by Michael Vick Can be Saved

This is actually a video story and can be found at the following link. I hope it works and I hope this is the truth. It’s the least that can happen after such a horrid case of animal cruelty.

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=207187&cl=4330777&ch=207399&src=sports

Suspended Falcons Quarter Back Michael Vick Due in Court Nov. 27th on State Dogfighting Charges

Remember, this is separate from the federal charges.

Luckily the state finally decided to pursue him.In addition, luckily, the Falcons are fighting to have 22 million in bonus money returned to them.

Let’s hope that happens.

As stated below, “The Falcons want Vick to return up to $22 million in bonus money, arguing his guilty plea to a federal dogfighting charge violated his 10-year, $130 million contract…”

Article:

Trial date for suspended Falcons QB Vick on state dogfighting charges will be set on Nov. 27

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=AjtYNUiC5I96xViVuCcacCI5nYcB?slug=ap-vickindicted&prov=ap&type=lgns

By HANK KURZ Jr., AP Sports WriterOctober 3, 2007
AP - Oct 3, 10:33 am EDT

SUSSEX, Va. (AP) -- Michael Vick moved one step closer to being tried on state dogfighting charges Wednesday at a hearing to make sure he has legal representation.

An attorney for the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback appeared in Surry County Circuit Court and was asked to return Nov. 27 to set a trial date.

Vick, who did not attend the hearing, is in the midst of a big week. On Thursday, representatives from the Falcons, the NFL management council and the NFL Players Association are scheduled to meet in Philadelphia for a contract arbitration case.

The Falcons want Vick to return up to $22 million in bonus money, arguing his guilty plea to a federal dogfighting charge violated his 10-year, $130 million contract. The NFLPA is expected to argue Vick already has earned the bonus money.

Vick, who faces up to five years in prison, is to be sentenced Dec. 10 on the federal charges.
He and three co-defendants, all of whom already have pleaded guilty to the federal dogfighting charges, are not expected at the Nov. 27 hearing, Surry County prosecutor Gerald G. Poindexter said Wednesday.

Poindexter said he hopes to have the trial begin as soon as possible.

"All the good citizens of Surry County I am sure would like to see an end to this, along with a lot of other good people," the prosecutor said outside the courtroom.

Virginia Beach attorney Larry Woodward, who will represent Vick on the state charges, said Vick turned himself in last week in the rural county for pretrial processing and bonding. Vick has been charged with two state felony counts -- beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Surry County is where the dogfighting enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels operated since 2001 on 15 acres of land Vick owned.

Woodward's appearance in court was brief, and he made the long walk to his car afterward without saying a word as about 30 reporters peppered him with questions.

Vick's lawyers have indicated they will fight the state charges on the grounds he can't be convicted twice of the same crime. In pleading guilty to a federal conspiracy charge Aug. 27, Vick admitted helping to kill six to eight dogs, among other things.

Vick, suspended indefinitely by the NFL without pay, tested positive last month for marijuana, a violation of U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson's order that he stay clean in exchange for being allowed to be free.

After that positive test, Hudson ordered Vick confined to his home address between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., with electronic monitoring and random drug testing.

Associated Press Writer Sonja Barisic contributed to this report.

State of Virginia Indicts Suspended Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick in Relation to His Guilty Plea on the Federal Level of Dog Fighting

Luckily Virginia moved on this. Sounds like they didn’t have a choice as if you read the story, state police were about to not prosecute at all prior to the FBI actually moving into the property to investigate.

Article:

Vick charged with torturing, killing dogs in Virginia indictment

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/09/25/vick/
index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Decrease font Decrease font
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SUSSEX, Virginia (CNN) -- A Virginia grand jury has indicted suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and three co-defendants on state charges of running a dogfighting ring at Vick's Virginia home, prosecutors said Tuesday.


Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick faces sentencing on federal charges in December.

The Surry County grand jury brought two charges against Vick: one count of unlawfully torturing and killing dogs and one of promoting dogfights. Each is a felony charge that could result in a five-year prison term.

Vick, 27, faces a possible prison term of 12 to 18 months after his August guilty plea to a federal conspiracy charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation from his home outside Newport News, Virginia. He faces sentencing on December 10 in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia.

Vick's lawyers said they will "aggressively" work to make sure "that he is not held accountable for the same conduct twice."

"We are disappointed that these charges were filed in Surry County, since it is the same conduct covered by the federal indictment for which Mr. Vick has already accepted full responsibility and pleaded guilty to in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia," his lead attorney, Billy Martin, said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon.

Vick pleaded guilty after three associates -- Purnell Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach; Quanis Phillips, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia; and Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton, Virginia -- admitted their roles in the operation and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. Read about the federal case against Vick »

Tuesday's grand jury session resulted in charges of promoting dogfighting against all three. In addition, Taylor faces three additional counts of unlawful torture and killing of dogs, and Peace, like Vick, faces one count.

All four are scheduled to be arraigned October 3 and face a tentative trial date of November 27. See a timeline of the case against Vick »
Don't Miss

Earlier, Surry County Commonwealth Attorney Gerald Poindexter said he planned to present more than 10 possible charges against Vick and his co-defendants to the grand jury.

The grand jury refused to bring eight additional counts of animal cruelty against the defendants.

"I'm sure that the grand jury took careful consideration, and they made a decision we can live with," he said.

Poindexter said he pursued the case because "crimes that were not prosecuted were committed in Surry County." But he would not say whether his prosecutors put Vick's federal court admission that he killed dogs before the grand jury.
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"Come on, lady, how much do you need to know?" he told a reporter who was pressing the issue.

The grand jury met at the Sussex County courthouse because the Surry County courthouse is undergoing renovations. E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend

CNN's Eric Fiegel contributed to this report.

All About Animal Cruelty • Michael Vick

Officals in Malaysia Call Off Idiotic Dog Catching Contest

Enough said…

Article:

Laudable move

http://thestar.com.my/columnists/story.asp?file=/2007/9/20/columnists/wheelpower/18923843&sec=Wheel%20Power

Wheel Power: By ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Animal lovers everywhere were relieved when the Selayang Municipal Council called off its dogcatching competition due to pressure from the public.
WHAT a sweet victory it was last Friday for animal-loving Malaysians everywhere. The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS), which had been headstrong for the past couple of weeks about its controversial dog-catching competition, finally relented to the public call for the contest to be aborted.

Members of the public were particularly unhappy that attractive cash prizes were being offered, instead of inculcating positive values about responsible animal ownership and love for animals.
The decision was reached at a meeting held at the MPS headquarters in Bandar Baru Selayang, Selangor. The meeting was attended by representatives of five animal welfare and rights groups. The NGOs were joined by the various representatives of local residents in Selayang, as well as MPS council officials.

The animal rights groups present were the Selangor Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the Animal Rights and Welfare Society (Roar), the Malaysian Association for Responsible Pet Ownership (Marpo), and the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive).

Also present was another ad hoc group called the Coalition of Animal Lovers of Malaysia (Calm). Formed immediately after the MPS dog-catching contest, Calm was there to oppose the competition.

As president of Petpositive, I was the only representative in wheelchair among 40 others invited to the meeting.

The moment I arrived at the venue, I was confronted with a set of obstacles, which I had to overcome, before getting into the meeting room. Although there were at least two parking lots for disabled drivers, there was no one whom I could ask for assistance. Some of the officers who passed by did not even bother to ask if I needed help.

There was no way they would not have known I was a disabled person, unless they were blind themselves. Not only is my car plastered with disabled stickers all over, but I was parked in the MPS disabled lot. Luckily for me, I didn’t have to wait long. I was soon joined by my animal rights activist chums who got my wheelchair out of the car and helped me into it in no time.
The meeting was held on the first floor, and I had to be carried up two flights of steps that were steep and dangerous to attend it.

What I couldn’t understand was why the meeting was not held in the wheelchair-friendly newer building which was only a stone’s throw away. After all, it was plain as day that Petpositive had the words “disabled” and “elderly” in it. Or is it because people today still view the world in terms of stereotypes? And that disabled people are only seen in handicapped homes, hospitals or hospices, instead of in offices, shopping centres and the meeting rooms of local council buildings?
Just when I thought I would be locked out of the meeting room, a couple of my animal rights friends did a wonderful thing. N. Surendran, from Roar, and Natasha Fernz, from Calm, went upstairs to the meeting room and argued my case until, lo and behold, the venue was moved to the wheelchair-accessible building next door so that I could attend!

Later, I heard that one or two of the invited guests were peeved with me for making them switch venues. They even remarked that I was being too demanding and that I was expecting the world to treat me “special” because of my handicap. However, the morning ended on an extraordinary note. I left the premises with the good news that stray dogs in Selayang would be treated with respect from now on.

I have learnt a lesson from my animal activist friends, too. Sometimes in life, you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. It’s called: Standing up for yourself.

Michael Vick, Former Quarterback of Atlanta Falcons Gives In: Admits to Not only Gambling on Dog Fighting, but to Brutally Killing Dogs

This is probably old news to some, but in case any readers hadn't heard, here is the latest. What stands out is that he finally admits not only to gambling and to dog fighting, but also to actually taking part in brutally killing dogs. This included downing or hanging.

“According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging.”

Even more telling: "Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of Vick..."

Article:

"Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of Vick, Phillips and Peace, the statement said.

NFL suspends Michael Vick indefinitely

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070824/
ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_michael_vick

By DAVE GOLDBERG and LARRY O'DELL, Associated Press Writers Fri Aug 24, 7:33 PM ET

No matter how nuanced his confession for involvement in dogfighting, Michael Vick got no leniency Friday from the NFL.
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Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended the Atlanta Falcons quarterback indefinitely without pay, just hours after Vick filed a plea agreement that portrayed him as less involved than three co-defendants and guilty mainly of poor judgment for associating with them.

Vick acknowledged bankrolling gambling on the dogfights, but denied placing bets himself or taking any of the winnings. He admitted that dogs not worthy of the pit were killed "as a result of the collective efforts" of himself and two co-defendants.

Goodell wasn't moved and didn't bother to wait until Monday, when U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson will formally accept the plea and set a sentencing date likely to land Vick in prison for one to five years.

The commissioner said Vick's admitted conduct was "not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible." Even if he didn't personally placed bets, Goodell said, "your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player."

Goodell freed the Falcons to "assert any claims or remedies" to recover $22 million of Vick's signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004.

The commissioner didn't speak to Vick but based his decision on the court filings. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Goodell may meet with Vick in the future, and Goodell said he would review the suspension after all the legal proceedings.

"You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league's personal conduct policy," Goodell told Vick in a letter after meeting in New York with Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank supported Goodell's decision and said:

"We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life."

Earlier Friday in Richmond, Va., a "summary of facts" signed by Vick was filed along with his written plea agreement on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge.

"While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment, as with any conspiracy charge, he is taking full responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved," the defense team said in a written statement after the plea agreement was filed.

"Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dog fighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct," the statement said.

Vick and his lawyers said his involvement was limited when it came to the enterprise known as the Bad Newz Kennels.

"Our position has been that we are going to try to help Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael's role," Vick's defense attorney, Billy Martin, said in telephone interview. "Michael's role was different than others associated with this incident."

Vick's summary of facts said he provided most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies, echoing language in plea agreements by the three co-defendants — Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips.

When the dogs won, the statement said, gambling proceeds were generally shared by Taylor, Peace and Phillips.

"Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels," the court document said.

According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging.

"Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of Vick, Phillips and Peace, the statement said.

In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the guidelines.

Hudson has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. The judge will set a sentencing date at Monday's hearing.

Martin said Vick will "speak to the public and explain his actions." Though he declined to say when and where, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a syndicated program based in Dallas, said it will have a live interview with Vick on Tuesday.

The case began in April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin raided a Surry County property owned by Vick and found dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting.

A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick, Peace, Phillips and Taylor with an interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement, and all four men pleaded innocent. The three co-defendants later pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against Vick.

Taylor was the first to change his plea, saying Vick financed the dogfighting ring's gambling and operations. Peace and Phillips soon followed, alleging that Vick joined them in killing dogs that did not measure up in test fights.

The sickening details outlined in the indictment and other court papers prompted a public backlash against Vick, who had been one of the NFL's most popular players.

Animal-rights groups mobilized against Vick — even protesting at NFL headquarters in New York — and sponsors dropped him.

"It is fitting that the NFL has suspended him," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "He's now a role model for something terrible, and it's not appropriate that he suit up in an NFL uniform."

Accused Dog Torturer Quarterback Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons Faces Likely Suspension for the 2007 Season for Dog Fighting

It’s heartening to see the NFL finally get serious with the thugs it has in it’s midst. Sending this message is important to making the statement that the NFL will FINALLY take these issues serious.

Article:

Sources: Vick suspension near

By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Aj9Qn

MeN.5Pj8_5gCOPRxARDubYF?slug=jc-vick081207

&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

August 12, 2007

Jason Cole

Yahoo! Sports

Two NFL sources said that commissioner Roger Goodell likely will announce this week or next the suspension of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick for the 2007 season.

"That's the direction it's going and has been from the time this started," one of the sources said this week.

In July, Goodell told Vick not to report to training camp in the aftermath of a federal indictment for his alleged involvement in dogfighting on a property he owned in Virginia. Vick has since been arraigned on the matter and is facing trial in November.

What is unclear is whether Vick will be allowed to return to the Falcons this season if he is acquitted. This offseason, Goodell suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones for the entire season but added stipulations that could allow Jones to return earlier if he clears his record.

Said the other source: "The plan was to make sure it was announced before the season. Given what everybody has seen from what (league) security found and what the feds are telling us, there's really no choice."

From a public relations standpoint, the NFL would like the matter dealt with before the opening week of the season. The feeling is that if the league can resolve the matter now, any further news on Vick will not detract from the buildup to the season.

The NFL has examined the indictment against Vick at length and has conducted a quasi-investigation of its own. The league has not interviewed anyone associated with the case, but it has pored over as many public documents as it could find.

The most careful element of the suspension is how it will be worded. Under the league's new personal conduct policy, there is some belief that Vick could escape punishment because this is the first time he has been charged with a crime.

However, Goodell hinted last week that because Vick was charged with multiple counts, including gambling on dogfights, the league may have a way around that. In an interview with USA Today, Goodell said that while he was disturbed by the dogfighting accusations, the gambling aspect is just as meaningful.

"Listen, we're sickened by the allegations and the predicament Michael put himself in," Goodell said. "But there are a lot of things in the indictment that concern the NFL that may not be of a greater concern from a law enforcement standpoint."

The NFL's gambling policy, which was established long before the personal conduct policy, has resulted in the suspension of players in the past. Both Paul Hornung and Alex Karras were suspended for the entire 1963 season after admitting they placed bets on NFL games.

Players can be banned for life for illegal gambling.

As Details of the Cruelty Michael Vick Inflicted on Dogs Comes Forth, the Public Learns More about the Horrible Reality of Dog Fighting

Let’s just sum it up in one quote:

“In the indictment against Vick, he and his Bad Newz Kennels associates are accused of killing dogs that did not perform well by hanging, drowning and electrocution. At least one dog was killed when it was slammed to the ground.”

This is why Vick was indicted. If all is true, he is one sick person.

Article:

Michael Vick case resonating with the American public

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/
news/cityregion/s_519554.html

By Chris Togneri
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, July 29, 2007

The celebrity aspect, gruesome details and a public awakening to a vast bloodbath.

Such factors begin to explain Americans' horrified reaction to allegations that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick raised dozens of dogs to battle other dogs to the death and murdered those who proved too docile to fight.

Though the illegal "sport" long has been part of the American landscape -- it was first outlawed in the 19th century and today is a felony in all but Idaho and Montana -- the Vick story has elicited a particularly emotional response throughout the country and beyond.

An Internet search Friday for "Michael Vick" and "dogfighting" netted 1.72 million hits -- with headlines from U.S. and foreign newspapers and media outlets such as ESPN, CNN and Sports Illustrated. It was a topic on many radio talk shows.


Hundreds of protesters jeered Vick on Thursday outside the U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va., where he pleaded not guilty. Others demonstrated in front of the Falcons' training facility in Georgia, NFL offices in New York and at other spots.

Sociologists and animal rights advocates say several aspects of the Vick case have contributed to the public's response.

Dan Santoro, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Pittsburgh's Johnstown campus, said nearly everyone in America is in somehow affected by the allegations, including sports fans, animal lovers and people fascinated by celebrity trials.

"It's another scandal involving an athlete, and a lot of people feel celebrities are over-privileged and spoiled and have a sense of entitlement," said Santoro. "And then throw doing something bad to dogs into the mix -- Americans love dogs."

Because of Vick's star power -- he is the cornerstone of the Falcons franchise and one of the most athletic and explosive players in NFL history -- the story will continue to grab headlines, and might even change societal values, Santoro said.

"What happens in sports has an effect on society," Santoro said. "We changed our understanding of race relations in America when Jackie Robinson broke in to the Major Leagues. People got interested in steroids even though maybe they had never heard of them until (former football player) Lyle Alzado died.

"One way to look at it is that a lot of big issues we're still fighting culturally show up in sports," Santoro said. "It's almost like a battleground when issues get played out. ... This is going to be hot for a while."

Race issues could be at play, Santoro said. Some people question whether Vick is being targeted because he is black.

"It touches everyone," he said. "It's pulling in different groups, different segments of society who aren't necessarily sports fans, not necessarily football fans."

The grisly details from the 18-page indictment against Vick and three other men contribute to the furor.

Eric Sakach, director of Western Operations for the Humane Society, spent 20 years investigating and infiltrating illegal dog- and cockfights. He said the average American knew dogfighting exists, but could not imagine its brutality -- until it grabbed headlines.

"When you hear about dogfighting, most people associate it with something they may have seen, like two dogs mixing it up in their neighborhood," Sakach said. "They don't have an idea of how brutal and how protracted these fights are. Some are hours long."

In the indictment against Vick, he and his Bad Newz Kennels associates are accused of killing dogs that did not perform well by hanging, drowning and electrocution. At least one dog was killed when it was slammed to the ground.

"Many people weren't aware those things were going on to the degree they are," Sakach said. "I've seen dogs with literally part of their faces torn off, broken jaws, broken legs. ... It's a pretty pathetic commentary on what passes for entertainment."

The Vick case has in some ways put a face on the activity, Sakach said.

"This is arousing public interest," he said. "When was the last time we saw ESPN or Sports Illustrated or other sports writers take an interest in this and help to expose it? It's clearly something the pubic is finding absolutely horrifying, and they want it stopped."

There are about 40,000 serious dogfighters -- people who breed dogs for fighting purposes and wager tens of thousands of dollars on fights -- in the United States, Sakach said. There are countless more "street level" dogfighters, he said.

Kathy Hecker, a humane investigations officer for Ohio Township-based Animal Friends, said dogfighting occurs everywhere in the country, including western Pennsylvania.

The Vick case, she said, might help those fighting to kill the brutal sport.

"In a perverted sort of way, it's good news for animal lovers," Hecker said. "This is a very covert undercover 'sport,' and he's very nationally known, so people are paying attention."

Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick Is Involved In Dog Fighting: Trouble Continues For Troubled and Cruel Quarterback and NFL

So now it’s dog fighting. I guess Vick isn’t happy with his millions. He really needs to feed his cruel side as well.

Article:

Dog Fighting Is Cruel, and Vick Has Questions to Answer

http://www.aolsportsblog.com/2007/05/15/dog-
fighting-is-cruel-and-vick-has-questions-to-answer/

Posted May 15th 2007 9:41AM by Michael David Smith
Filed under: Falcons, NFL Gossip, NFL Rumors, Atlanta, NFL Police Blotter

The evidence is mounting that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is involved in dog fighting. The extent to which he's involved isn't quite clear, but at this point he would have to be willfully ignorant if he didn't have at least some inclination that the property he owned was being used to raise dogs that were used for fighting. It's time for Vick to stop dodging questions and start answering them.

We'll have much more to say about this as details unfold, but I have a feeling that a lot of people don't really know what dog fighting is. The Humane Society's dog fighting fact sheet is a good place to start. I was surprised to learn there that a dog fight typically lasts an hour -- I was envisioning something that lasts a few seconds or a few minutes. Roger Goodell is probably more concerned about the fact that illegal gambling is a major part of the dog fighting culture than he is about cruelty to animals. If Vick is involved with gamblers, he's going to face a very long suspension.

But the animal cruelty aspect is the one that's going to do more damage to Vick's reputation. Animal advocacy groups aren't going to let this issue go, and every company that has an endorsement deal with Vick is going to be hearing about it. I think this is going to cost him millions.

The picture shows a dog fight in Afghanistan last year.

Animal Abuse, both Physical and Sexual, Very Common in Latin America: Country of Chile Especially Full of Egregious Cruelty

Yes, you read it right – sexual abuse. Unbelievable, but read this quote of an actual incident and you’ll see it’s no lie: “One bitch was brought in that had been sexually abused by its owner and burned with cigarettes," Navarro said.”

Article:

Buried alive puppy highlights pet abuse in Chile

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/3983808a12.html

By CAROLINA ALIAGA - Reuters | Wednesday, 7 March 2007

SANTIAGO: One recent summer's day, Ruth Moreno and her family were out walking in northern Chile when they came across an animal's snout sticking out of the ground, desperately sniffing for air.

They dug away the surrounding earth and found a six-month old puppy, barely alive.

"It was shocking. We uncovered its little face but we couldn't free it from the ground and we went to look for help," Moreno said.

Eventually, the puppy was freed and taken to a veterinary surgery where it died the following day.

"It was in a very bad condition, malnourished and severely dehydrated, with hypothermia and blocked airways," said vet Rodrigo Vasquez.

The puppy had been buried alive. No one has yet established who did it or why.

"This is the most extreme case of abuse I've seen, but it's quite common," Vasquez said. "Just recently we had a dog brought in which had been knifed."

Animal rights activists say abuse of dogs is common across Latin America and, despite its reputation as one of the region's richest and most developed countries, Chile is no exception.

The Andean nation has done much to eradicate rabies, prevalent elsewhere in the continent, but still, every year, hundreds of dogs in Chile are maltreated by their owners.

"This type of abuse is frequent in Chile, but it's hidden," said Luis Navarro, president of the Society for the Protection of Animals (SPA). "Abandonment, physical maltreatment and sexual abuse happen more often than you'd think."

DOGS SEXUALLY ABUSED

Gertraud Ernst, a German who cares for around 120 abandoned and abused dogs in her home in Santiago, agrees.

"The situation in Chile is terrible and the police do nothing about it," she says.

A recent study from the University of Chile estimated there were a million pet dogs in the Santiago area, which has a population of 6 million people.

The government says there are a further 215,000 strays roaming the streets while animal rights campaigners put the figure at 250,000.

The SPA says it treats 5000 dogs a year, 10 per cent of which are in seriously poor health.

"One bitch was brought in that had been sexually abused by its owner and burned with cigarettes," Navarro said.

"The owner was arrested but the next day he was freed," he added.

The reasons for the abuse, and why it is prevalent in Chile, are not clear.

"Animals are simply receptacles of violence," said Mario Villagran, a sociologist based in Santiago. "The dog just happens to be the closest living thing to the man when he wants to vent his feelings."

At this time of year, summer in the Southern Hemisphere, the problem gets worse.

"People go on holiday and throw out their pets, leaving them in the streets," Navarro said.

The Chilean penal code allows for the imprisonment of those found guilty of animal abuse for up to 540 days, but activists say such penalties are almost unheard of and culprits are much more likely to be fined than jailed.

"There's been only one case of someone being jailed – a man who killed his dog by shooting it in front of children," Navarro said. "He was in prison four days and paid a fine of 70,000 pesos ($130)."

The government says it is doing what it can to combat abuse of animals.

"We've helped set up sterilization centers for pets and soon we will put forward a set of norms and rules on how to be a responsible pet owner," said Fernando Fuenzalida, a vet from the regional health ministry in the Santiago area.

He said the government also wanted to include lessons on animal welfare and responsible pet ownership in the national curriculum, taught in schools throughout the country. "That's a medium to long-term aim of the government," he said.

In the meantime, the SPA expects to deal with thousands more cases like that of the puppy buried alive in northern Chile.

"In some cases we've reported abusers to the police, with their first name, their last name and photographs of the animals showing they've been seriously physically abused," Navarro said. "And no one has done anything."