Michael Vick Indicted On Dog Fighting Charges

By Mark Maske
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, July 18, 2007; Page E01

A federal grand jury in Richmond indicted Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and three other men yesterday on charges related to their alleged operation of a dogfighting ring based at a property Vick owns in southeastern Virginia.

Vick, one of the NFL's most exciting players, was charged with competitive dogfighting and conducting the venture across state lines. The 19-page indictment alleged Vick was highly involved in the operation, alleging that he attended fights and paid off bets when his dogs lost. It said he also was involved in the executions of dogs that did not perform well.

If convicted, Vick could face a total of up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines. He could face additional discipline by the NFL, even if he is not convicted.

Vick's associates, Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor, were indicted on the same charges.

The NFL said the matter would be reviewed under the league's toughened personal conduct policy. "We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him," the NFL said in a written statement. "We will continue to closely monitor developments in this case, and to cooperate with law enforcement authorities. 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."

Federal officials twice searched the property -- which was purchased by Vick near Smithfield, Va., in 2001 -- after suspicions were initially raised in late April. Officers reportedly found equipment associated with dogfighting, blood stains on the walls of a room and a bloodstained carpet stashed on the property. They reportedly removed more than 60 dogs from the property.

According to the indictment, Vick decided in his rookie season of 2001, with Phillips and Taylor, to start a dogfighting operation. Vick, who grew up in Newport News, paid $34,000 in June 2001 for a property at 1915 Moonlight Rd. and, according to the indictment, "used this property as the main staging area for housing and training the pit bulls involved in the dogfighting venture and hosting dog fights."

The men, who named their enterprise the "Bad Newz Kennels," developed the property for their dogfighting operation, building a house, "a fence to shield the rear portion of the compound from public view [and] multiple sheds used at various times to house training equipment, injured dogs and organized fights," the indictment said.

The indictment details a series of dogfights in which members of the operation allegedly participated, including several fights in the fall of 2003 when Vick was sidelined with a broken leg.

The indictment said that in April 2007, Peace, Phillips and Vick "executed approximately eight dogs that did not perform well in 'testing' sessions by various methods, including hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground." Vick also is alleged to have consulted with Peace before Peace killed a losing dog by electrocution in 2003.

Vick, 27, who is a registered dog breeder, reportedly has agreed to sell the house. He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution while in New York for the NFL draft in late April that he was not aware of dogfighting activities on the property, saying he rarely visited it.

Vick and his representatives declined to comment about the case after that and were not available to comment yesterday.

Dogfighting is a felony in Virginia and 47 other states. Transporting dogs over state lines for dogfighting is a federal crime.

"There have been cases in Virginia where there have been convictions and people sent to prison with far less evidence," John Goodwin, a dogfighting expert with the Humane Society, said recently. "They can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that dogfighting took place on that property."

In a statement, the Falcons, who open their training camp next week, expressed disappointment "that one of our players -- and therefore the Falcons -- is being presented to the public in a negative way, and we apologize to our fans and the community for that."

NFL officials said throughout the investigation that they were monitoring the case closely. Members of the league's security department reportedly offered their assistance to investigators in Surry County, Va.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell met with Vick in New York at the draft and, Goodell said later, received a promise from Vick that "he's going to make changes in his life."

Goodell toughened the league's conduct policy in April and suspended Tennessee Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones for all of the 2007 season and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry and former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Tank Johnson for the first half of it. The league's amended conduct policy says that Goodell may discipline a player even if the player has not been convicted of a crime.

AirTran Airways recently decided against renewing Vick's contract as a company spokesman. Vick reached a settlement last year with a woman who charged in a lawsuit that he had knowingly given her herpes. Last season, Vick was fined $10,000 by the NFL and agreed to donate another $10,000 to charity for making an obscene gesture toward fans while leaving the field after a game at the Georgia Dome in November.

In January, authorities said that a water bottle surrendered by Vick at a security checkpoint at Miami International Airport had a marijuana-like substance in a secret compartment. Later they announced that laboratory tests showed no evidence of drugs and that no charges would be filed. Vick said the compartment was used to store jewelry.


I do not tolerate animal abuse. Its wrong and makes me sick and pissed off when I hear about it. When I'm out on the road at work and I see a animal that is sick and not being taken care, and starving, when I get back to the store I report them. Whats your thoughts?

hahahaha oh god, dumb rich people make me laugh. You think they could just do legal things and live nicely in their million dollar homes. But then they get caught and could possibly lose their job. Smoke a joint or something, not throw dog fights.. I guess they will never learn.

Don't get me started.
I'll just say that I don't understand how some people think.

Celebrities, maybe not all but most, think that they are on a higher pedestal than the rest if us. Sadly they do get special treatment. Its wrong and something needs to be done about it. You shouldn't be able to get away with things just because of fame and a fat bank account.


The indictment said that in April 2007, Peace, Phillips and Vick "executed approximately eight dogs that did not perform well in 'testing' sessions by various methods, including hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground." Vick also is alleged to have consulted with Peace before Peace killed a losing dog by electrocution in 2003.

This is disgusting. Animals have no way to protect themselves when you have a person who is set on killing them. Sadly all those dogs that were seized will more than likely be put to sleep because they cant be safely put into homes. They have been taught since they were a puppy to fight and kill. They never had a choice in the matter and that really pisses me off.

They taped some of the fights and showed them on cnn. For some of the fights the dogs didnt want to and they would just lick each other. It was really sad. I dont understand how someone could treat another living thing like that

Quote:

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Originally Posted by napolitana869

They taped some of the fights and showed them on cnn. For some of the fights the dogs didnt want to and they would just lick each other. It was really sad. I dont understand how someone could treat another living thing like that

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I haven't seen any of the tapes. I heard about it on the radio and then searched for a article about it. I would like to see it but then again I wouldn't want to see it I would probably get even more angry about it. I just don't understand why some people treat animals the way that they do. Its disgusting.

This is near where I live. He was, also, born in Newport News, so he's on local news, a lot. I didn't think he knew about it. He has other houses. Why would he go to Chesapeake?

I think, it's a close associate(s) who took advantage of him. He must've made a lot of friends, in high school, who just didn't turn out to be worth anything, but, being his friend. Or, he could've known.

Throw his ass in jail

Here is a video on youtube about 2 other NFL player Portis and Samuel defending him. Those guys need to be slapped. The video is not good quality but the words coming out of their mouth are clear as day.

[YOUTUBE]http://youtube.com/watch?v=o77coI3O9ps&mode=related&search=[/YOUTUBE]

good

vick sucks my *ick

This is why I hate pro atheletes so much. I know they're not all bad, but the ones that are seem really bad. They think they're above the law.

Personally, I think dogfighting it's brutal. I'm not an animal lover, moreso I'm definetly no canine or pet lover, but I've seen some of these videos and pictures of dog fights and I must say it's sad to see some of these animals get taken out that way. Especially the dogs that lose.

We, as humans, have sports such as UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) which is also a brutal sport, but we do NOT fight till one of us is practically dead. So why do that to these dogs?

Not to mention, you have to have strong guts to stomach some of these dog fights. Although it is already an illegal sport, I tend to beleive that maybe they should come harder down on these guys who produce dog fights just to let them know that it is being taken more seriously.

Dogs are trained. They do not have a sense of what's right or wrong. Training a dog to kill another dog is not only a threat/danger to other dogs but to humans as well.

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Originally Posted by deadfan420

This is why I hate pro atheletes so much. I know they're not all bad, but the ones that are seem really bad. They think they're above the law.

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well you gotta look at it this way - they are human, and they arent anything special, besides the fact they can toss a ball around efficiently. they arent gods or superhuman or anything, they can be your next door neighbor.

I know pro athletes in the ufc and the nhl and they are as normal as apple pie. i wouldnt put it past them to be just as much a stain on society as anyone else.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dro_Princess

Here is a video on youtube about 2 other NFL player Portis and Samuel defending him. Those guys need to be slapped. The video is not good quality but the words coming out of their mouth are clear as day.

[YOUTUBE]http://youtube.com/watch?v=o77coI3O9ps&mode=related&search=[/YOUTUBE]

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this shit is bull they act like that shits not wrong! fuck portis and samuels and vick let them bitches fight to death that shit is fucked up dog is sopposed to be mans best friend to protect you and be a companion,there treatin these dogs like they dont diserve to live, why dont they fight slugs or somethin?:mad:

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Originally Posted by zino11

this shit is bull they act like that shits not wrong! fuck portis and samuels and vick let them bitches fight to death that shit is fucked up dog is sopposed to be mans best friend to protect you and be a companion,there treatin these dogs like they dont diserve to live, why dont they fight slugs or somethin?:mad:

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scuse my language..but fucking idiots.

yeah its behind closed doors its coo, whatev.

yeah let me blow your head off in my house and then tell your family its coo and not a big deal or much of a crime. because its my house, my property, federal law dont mean shit in MY HOUSE!

nice cop out, try again portis

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Originally Posted by halfassedjediknight

scuse my language..but fucking idiots.

yeah its behind closed doors its coo, whatev.

yeah let me blow your head off in my house and then tell your family its coo and not a big deal or much of a crime. because its my house, my property, federal law dont mean shit in MY HOUSE!

nice cop out, try again portis

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Yeah I laughed at that as well and I bet the reason they came on TV to state this comment is probably because they were involved with the incident. Washington is right beside the Virginia border so yeah they probably went to Vick's place for a couple dog fights and now they want to defend him. Idiots these days.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Juggnoxalo

Yeah I laughed at that as well and I bet the reason they came on TV to state this comment is probably because they were involved with the incident. Washington is right beside the Virginia border so yeah they probably went to Vick's place for a couple dog fights and now they want to defend him. Idiots these days.

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they dont wanna defend him, they wanna defend THEMSELVES. If they were involved, then them trying to justify this is obviously them trying to save face in the community. but i think it backfired and now they proved how ignorantly stupid they really are.

To all the people talking about how horrible dogfighting is, answer me this: what is the huge moral difference between dogfighting and hunting? Don't get me wrong, I think both are disgusting, but I don't see why one should be legal while the other is illegal.

LOL, at Rocky Horror last night, they added a new joke to their list. The scene where Rocky is being chased by dogs outside of the mansion, the callers ye'll out "Look out, here comes Michael Vick!" I almost pooped my pants from laughter.

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Originally Posted by KevinFinnerty

To all the people talking about how horrible dogfighting is, answer me this: what is the huge moral difference between dogfighting and hunting? Don't get me wrong, I think both are disgusting, but I don't see why one should be legal while the other is illegal.

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Because dog fighting is training dogs to fight until one of them kills the other. It is nothing but sick "entertainment" for sick people. Do they eat the dogs after they fight them? No, but people do eat animals after hunting them. Not all, some do it for sport and I'm against that. Animals should only be killed if they are sick and suffering, meant for food, or have rabies.

How can you compare hunting to pitting 2 dogs against one another and making them fight to the death? IMO there is no comparison there.

If he did it he should get what he deserves and take his ass directly to jail. But untill he's convicted in a court of law, I think its really stupid to pass judgement at this point, every one is going off of media reports and the court of public opinion, the media is about as farseeing as the blind and stupid eye of syphilis and pulbic opinion for the most part is the dingleberry hanging on to the media's content. There is no excuse for fighting dogs to death.. period, but as a dude who has suffered from the legal system an indictment does not equal a conviction, so let it play out and the truth be told.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dro_Princess

Here is a video on youtube about 2 other NFL player Portis and Samuel defending him. Those guys need to be slapped. The video is not good quality but the words coming out of their mouth are clear as day.

[YOUTUBE]http://youtube.com/watch?v=o77coI3O9ps&mode=related&search=[/YOUTUBE]

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you're right, they should be slapped... like just straight up knock the teeth outta their fucking mouth.

bring back the electric chair... some people really deserve it.
if he goes to jail i hope his asshole gets ravaged by a big angry psycho.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Juggnoxalo

Yeah I laughed at that as well and I bet the reason they came on TV to state this comment is probably because they were involved with the incident. Washington is right beside the Virginia border so yeah they probably went to Vick's place for a couple dog fights and now they want to defend him. Idiots these days.

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wow, that was an ignorant statement. and way to jump to conclusions on these two players. samuels never even said "hey, mike vick shouldnt be prosecuted!". he's just saying the public doesn't truly know that he was involved yet, and we shouldn't make his case so bad yet.

i wasn't a fan of what portis has to say though.

I really hope vick doesnt get off easy like paris did

seriously, if I were that rich I wouldn't be doing something so lowbrow and scummy and making animals fight each other. Aside from the obvious breach of morality in cruelty, aren't there way better things to do that only those with sizable fortunes can do? I'd be too busy kickin it in Amsterdam or deep sea fishing in the caribbean with choice friends.

I'm more troubled with cultivating that malicious behavior cuz it could spill over into human relations resulting in injury or murder. Maybe there's some short circuit in my brain, but I don't get too upset on behalf of the individual animal. I can't internalize that. What's upsetting is when entire species are threatened, and when natural forest land is cleared to make grazing land so people can gorge themselves on meat. Those things have much bigger repercussions and deserve the emotionally-charged attention that the Vick case is currently getting.

I agree people like vick ruine the reputation of APBTs and even dog fighting. Many people have a warped view of dog fighting due to people without knowlage and respect for for the dogs.

Originaly, dog fighting was a gentlman's sport in england. Later it moved to the US. Also, in the past dog fighting had rules and regulations much like boxing: there were weight classes, if the dog refused to fight it lost, and if a dog held a winning hold for too lond the dogs were seperated, then the losing dog would have to want to fight more (scratch) or was concidered a loser.

Dogs rarely fought to the death, and the handler always had the right to forfit the match and get their dog.

In closing, people bred these dogs to fight; it is hardwired into their genetics. It is our responsability to care for these anamals, and not let them be ruined by "geheto minded" people like vick with no morals or standards.