AP/ February 8, 2011, 11:55 AM

Vick's Dogfight Compound to Become Rehab Center?

Michael Vick

Michael Vick / CBS

NORFOLK, Va. - A Pennsylvania-based animal rights group is raising money to buy NFL star Michael Vick's former dogfighting compound and turn it into a rehabilitation center for chained and penned dogs.

Dogs Deserve Better of Tipton, Pa. says it has until March 20 to raise nearly $600,000 to buy the 4,600-square-foot house in Surry County, Va.

The house and the 15 acres it sits on served as headquarters for the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting operation.

Dogs Deserve Better says its ultimate goal is to raise $3 million to buy the site, install fencing and build a facility for the dogs.

The house would be used for offices.

The property has five bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, two fireplaces, cathedral ceilings, walk-in closets and an attached, two-car garage.

Timeline: Vick's Dogfighting Case

Meanwhile, a minor ruckus has arisen over a top Dallas official's presentation of a "key to the city" to the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.

Vick won The Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award this past season, his second in the NFL since serving 18 months in prison for dogfighting.

Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway presented the key at a ceremony in Dallas in the days leading up to Sunday's Super Bowl. In a statement issued Monday, Mayor Tom Leppert said the presentation was made without his knowledge and approval.

Caraway, in his own statement, described himself as an animal lover and honored Vick for his efforts to encourage children to stay in school and away from drugs and harmful influences.

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mountainstates1 says:
No one's ever going to forget the horrors of "sick Vick". Taking his killing field and turning it into a shelter for dogs is a start...
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Jaylah54 says:
And Charlie Sheen will be it's first patron.

Oh wait...that's right...after a couple of weeks of staying at his house, he's all recovered now.
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rwsmith29456 says:
The animal pens will make nice rooms for rehab patients.
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mountainstates1 says:
It's a good start. Just seeing or hearing the name "Michael Vick" is enough to make people vomit. His name will go down in history as one of the cruelest, sickest, twisted pieces of filth to ever walk free. Vick should've gotten life in prison for his felony crimes against those dogs. At the very least he should be forced to pay 90% of his NFL salary to dog rescue agencies. Vick, you'll go down in history as one of the most hated sports figures of all time.
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