Michael Vick Indicted By Grand Jury

(CBS/AP)  Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury on charges related to illegal dog fighting.

Vick and three others were charged with violating federal laws against competitive dog fighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines.

Vick and the other defendants — Purnell A. Peace, Quanis L. Phillips and Tony Taylor — were involved in an ongoing animal fighting venture based out of Vick's home in Smithfield, Va., from early 2001 to April 2007, according to a statement released by the office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Vick faces $350,000 in fines and six years in prison if convicted of the charges.

Telephone messages left at the offices and home of Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, were not immediately returned.

A woman who answered the phone at the home of Vick's mother said the family knew nothing about the charges.

On July 7, federal authorities conducted a second search of the Surry, Va., property owned by Vick that is the center of the dog fighting investigation.

According to court documents filed by federal authorities earlier this month, dog fights have been sponsored by "Bad Newz Kennels" at the property since at least 2002. For the events, participants and dogs traveled from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas and other states.

Fifty-four pit bulls were recovered from the property during searches in April, along with a "rape stand," used to hold dogs in place for mating; an electric treadmill modified for dogs; and a bloodied piece of carpeting, the documents said.

During a June search of the property, investigators uncovered the graves of seven pit bulls that were killed by members of "Bad Newz Kennels" following sessions to test whether the dogs would be good fighters, the documents alleged.

Members of "Bad Newz Kennels" also sponsored and exhibited fights in other parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and other states, according to the filings.

On Vick's Web site, he lists his birthplace as Newport News, "a.k.a. BadNews."

The documents said the fights usually occurred late at night or in the early morning and would last several hours.

Before fights, participating dogs of the same sex would be weighed and bathed, according to the filings. Opposing dogs would be washed to remove any poison or narcotic placed on the dog's coat that could affect the other dog's performance.

Sometimes, dogs weren't fed to "make it more hungry for the other dog."

Fights would end when one dog died or with the surrender of the losing dog, which was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, electrocution or some other method, according to the documents.

Vick initially said he had no idea the property might have been used in a criminal enterprise and blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity.

Vick has since declined to talk about the investigation.

[body12341]

I think that the charges against Michael Vick have merit and it's time for him to face the music. I am perplexed that a peson of his wealth and talent could put himself in this type of situation. He has brought shame to the NFL, his team mates, family and friends. This is not about
race, it's about stupidity.

[cindyb43]

I hope the NFL kicks Micheal Vick's sick puppy butt right out of the NFL and donnates his salry to the humane society. I can't believe that he was suppose to be a mentor to our children! At least he will get his day in court. The dogs that he killed didnt.

They say that some good always comes out of every bad situation. About the only good thing that I can imagine coming out of this is that he got caught and now he shed light on this sick activity. I wont even dignify it by calling it a sport.

Aniamls can't vote, but we can. I hope that every person that hears about this story contacts their Congressman and Senators to demand tougher laws. Life in prison for killing and torturing animals for a persons own gain and entertainment sounds like a good start on justice to me. My mother always said....if a dog can't trust them, then I can't either!

[animalclergy]

As the Chair of the Interfaith Association of Animal Chaplains, I am saddened and outraged that animal fighting still continues in our world. For someone like athlete Michael Vick, an unfortunate role model to millions of American children, to allegedly participate in such a horrific crime, is tragic. Please pray for the many innocent animals who have suffered greatly in this tragedy, and for the many children who have been influenced by this senseless series of actions. We pray for the NFL to suspend him immediately, and for any and all perpetrators against animals to face their crimes justly. Animals are living beings with souls, and hurting them is no different than hurting human beings.

Chaplain Nancy J. Cronk
Founder, Chair and Chaplain
Interfaith Association of Animal Chaplains
www.AnimalChaplains.com

[serry323]

To everyone concerned enough to take the time to post a comment:

Take action by at the very least boycotting the Falcons if they dont do the right thing, and writing and putting pressure on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell through their web site We can't save the dogs Vick has destroyed, but hopefully, this will set an example, as it has at least created some awareness of what people do to pit bulls. It would be a heinous crime if they let this poor excuse for a human being go with simply a fine, and community service.

Our sending comments to each other is not going to change anything.

[lh123316]

Throw him to the dogs! A person with no compassion who takes ruthless pleasure in the torture of other sentient beings is not fully human.
"Mankind differs from the animals only by a little and most people throw that away." %u2014Confucius

[doglvr1126]

Please take action regarding this matter. You can contact the NFL and request Vicks immediate and indefinite suspension using the link below:

https://community.hsus.org/campaign/US_2007_dogfighting_nfl2/inxn53g4fdtxewk?

This is not only heinous and disgusting but it is a felony and should not be tolerated. Thank you .

[delco289]

I think the graphics brought it home for me. I am now dedicated to doing what I can to see that this type of horrific act is stopped and would like to know what I can do to get involved! I am an animal lover and have 2 dogs and a cat. I watch Animal Planet Rescue every night and occasionally they catch these dog fights and what saddens me the most is that even if these dogs are rescued, they cannot be put up for adoption to a loving home and have to be humanely euthanized. This is no life for these animals who are brought up to fight and then die either by fighting another dog or euthanized. I am sick to my stomach by this and I think there should be a greater punishment for this act. I realize there are worse stories out there that need coverage but this also needs to be brought to the forefront so that more people are aware of what actually happens. If anyone knows who I can contact to make a difference, I would appreciate the information.

[delco289]

I think the graphics brought it home for me. I am now dedicated to doing what I can to see that this type of horrific act is stopped and would like to know what I can do to get involved! I am an animal lover and have 2 dogs and a cat. I watch Animal Planet Rescue every night and occasionally they catch these dog fights and what saddens me the most is that even if these dogs are rescued, they cannot be put up for adoption to a loving home and have to be humanely euthanized. This is no life for these animals who are brought up to fight and then die either by fighting another dog or euthanized. I am sick to my stomach by this and I think there should be a greater punishment for this act. I realize there are worse stories out there that need coverage but this also needs to be brought to the forefront so that more people are aware of what actually happens. If anyone knows who I can contact to make a difference, I would appreciate the information.

[madge1966]

I just hope the people of Atlanta, and especially Falcon fans, insist on not having him a part of their great city. He doesn't deserve you. Not much we can do here in Chicago, but Atlanta can rise to the occasion!! No second chances folks!!

[lukespack-2009]

lyosc, Why do you have to put everything in Black versus White terms? Vick is accused of animal cruelty. If Manning had done the same thing he would also be accused of animal cruelty.