Vick Has Court Date In Dogfighting Case

(AP)  NFL star Michael Vick was indicted by a federal grand jury on Tuesday on charges of sponsoring a dogfighting operation so grisly the losers either died in the pit or sometimes were electrocuted, drowned, hanged or shot.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback and three others were charged with competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines.

They are scheduled to appear in federal court in Richmond on July 26, the same day the Falcons begin training camp.

The operation was named "Bad Newz Kennels," according to the indictment, and the dogs were housed, trained and fought at a property owned by Vick in Surry County, Virginia. On Vick's Web site, he lists his birthplace as Newport News, "a.k.a. BadNews."

The 18-page federal indictment, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, alleges the 27-year-old Vick and his co-defendants began the dogfighting operation in early 2001, Vick's rookie year with the Falcons.

The indictment states that dogs fought to the death — or close to it.

If convicted, Vick and the others — Purnell A. Peace, Quanis L. Phillips and Tony Taylor — could face up to six years in prison, $350,000 in fines and restitution.

Telephone messages left at the offices and home of Vick's attorney, Larry Woodward, were not returned. A woman who answered the phone at the home of Vick's mother said "no comment" and hung up.

"We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.

"The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick's guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts."

Vick and the Falcons are scheduled to report to training camp on July 25.

"Obviously, we are disturbed by today's news," the team said in a statement posted on its Web site, apologizing to fans for the negative publicity.

"We will do the right thing for our club as the legal process plays out. We have a season to prepare for," it said.

John Goodwin of the Humane Society said the manner in which losing or unwilling dogs were killed was especially troubling.

"Some of the grisly details in these filings shocked even me, and I'm a person who faces this stuff every day," he said. "I was surprised to see that they were killing dogs by hanging them and one dog was killed by slamming it to the ground. Those are extremely violent methods of execution — they're unnecessary and just sick."

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[freespeech31]

We are talking about dogs. I had pit bulls and they were the nicest dogs, my boys loved them, but there still dogs. If I can put two brutes in a ring (boxing, UFC, IFL and K1) and have them bash in each others head, then what is the big stink about having dogs fight? You can hunt birds and deer and elk for sport, but you cannot have a dog fight. This is more of the great foolishness in America's society. Hunting, as it is today, is one of the more cowardly sports in existence, but that is okay--okay to shoot an non-aggressive animal with a high-powered rifle from 50+ yards away--What a man! When they kill these dogs after battle because of wounds or there incapability, so effing what, because they do the same thing to lame horses.

[max61-2009]

America please take note of this Vick person and the dog fighting....the NFL pays him 130 million to play football......is there something wrong with this picture....is there something wrong with us......please write letters to anyone you can think of expressing your anger of this person...all the adjectives we can think of toward this person does nothing unless we get off our lazy-boy recliners and shut off the big screen TV and go do something to stop Vick and his money and his dog fighting.....these are terrible people....please help any way you can to help punish Vick and others.....the Falcons, the NFL, the sponsors, the judicial system, the politicians, local, state, and federal, any thing you can think of....please go do it......don't wait for more dogs to be dealt such a horrible existance....Vick has the money to get away with this......don't just sit there and watch....your words to one person could make a big difference....

[bullis9]

I can't stop thinking about what a worthless piece of s**t Vick is. I can't wait to hear his hollow appology and excuses.

[aerodog]

antoniof - meaning what? by the way, 'to' should be 'too' - stupid!

[antoniof123]

I call this being to stupid to breath the air.

[jetlizhan]

the more i read and learn about this horrendous operation of scumbag vick, the madder i get. i would LOVE to personally spit in his face and tell him what a despicable lowlife he is - nfl, big deal. these poor dogs, i just can't get them out of my mind. i could not watch the video and hope i never accidentally see it on tv. i've had dogs all my life, rescued them, even stolen mistreated ones and spent thousands of dollars on my canine friends. every penny has been worth it. my two dogs now are my 'girls' - my children now that my human son is grown and gone. thank Heavens my son has the same heart toward animals as me. to me, anyone that doesn't love dogs can't be trusted - there's just something wrong with them.

[feedback3-2009]

Nail this pathetic a$$hole to the wall.

Better yet throw him in the pit with a few of the poor creatures he drove insane with his abuse. When are WE going to stop acting like animals?

[jbehm1]

Michael Vick should be punished to the highest degree.He should never be able to play NFL football
again.Vick is a disgrace to the football world!
Michael Vick is a poor excuse for a man, and should
be stripped of everything he has worked for.

[seezero]

Michael Vick has possibly done a terrible thing. If he is convicted, the NFL should have the Atlanta Falcons football team forfeit at least one-third of all the wins they had in which Vick was quarterbacking at least half of the game. If this costs them a playoff spot and whatever follows, so be it.

[juli28428]

figuy30 --- AMEN!!!