By Mairead
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted yesterday on charges related to an illegal dogfighting ring run out of his Smithfield, VA home, according the nydailynews.com. Investigators believe that Vick and three friends, Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips, and Tony Taylor were raising pit bulls and training them to fight to the death. Investigators also believe
that the dogs were being taken over state lines and other dogs were brought to Vick’s home to fight, reportedly from New Jersey, Maryland, New York, the Carolinas, Texas, and Alabama among others. The indictment also included charges of gambling because the owner of the winning dog would receive cash awards.
While the owners may have received star treatment for their dog, the pits themselves, “did not receive prize fighter treatment,” according to abcnews.com. “Prosecutors alleged that the losing dogs were sometimes executed—drowned, hanged, shot or electrocuted.” According to nydailynews.com, when federal authorities raided Vick’s home, also know as “Bad Newz Kennels,” they sized 66 dogs, 55 of which were pit bulls and other dogfighting equipment
including a forced breeding stand and a bloody fighting ring.
It is also alleged that Vick took place in “testing sessions” to determine which dogs would be good fighters. At one testing session that is believed to have taken place in April 2007, it’s said that eight dogs didn’t make the cut, and Vick, Phillips, and Peace then executed them.
If convicted, Vick and his friends could each receive up to six years in prison and up to $350,000 in fines.
The NFL is disappointed in Vick for what has happened, but they have made no moves towards suspension yet. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently began inforcing the league’s personal cunduct policy. Under this policy, Vick does not need to be convicted in order to be suspended, though no suspension has been spoken of yet.
As for the Falcons, while they are disappointed in Vick’s actions, realize that they need to prepare for the upcoming season. Their plan is to “do everything [they] can to support [their] players and coaches.”
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was indicted yesterday on charges related to an illegal dogfighting ring run out of his Smithfield, VA home, according the nydailynews.com. Investigators believe that Vick and three friends, Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips, and Tony Taylor were raising pit bulls and training them to fight to the death. Investigators also believe
that the dogs were being taken over state lines and other dogs were brought to Vick’s home to fight, reportedly from New Jersey, Maryland, New York, the Carolinas, Texas, and Alabama among others. The indictment also included charges of gambling because the owner of the winning dog would receive cash awards.
While the owners may have received star treatment for their dog, the pits themselves, “did not receive prize fighter treatment,” according to abcnews.com. “Prosecutors alleged that the losing dogs were sometimes executed—drowned, hanged, shot or electrocuted.” According to nydailynews.com, when federal authorities raided Vick’s home, also know as “Bad Newz Kennels,” they sized 66 dogs, 55 of which were pit bulls and other dogfighting equipment
including a forced breeding stand and a bloody fighting ring.
It is also alleged that Vick took place in “testing sessions” to determine which dogs would be good fighters. At one testing session that is believed to have taken place in April 2007, it’s said that eight dogs didn’t make the cut, and Vick, Phillips, and Peace then executed them.
If convicted, Vick and his friends could each receive up to six years in prison and up to $350,000 in fines.
The NFL is disappointed in Vick for what has happened, but they have made no moves towards suspension yet. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell recently began inforcing the league’s personal cunduct policy. Under this policy, Vick does not need to be convicted in order to be suspended, though no suspension has been spoken of yet.
As for the Falcons, while they are disappointed in Vick’s actions, realize that they need to prepare for the upcoming season. Their plan is to “do everything [they] can to support [their] players and coaches.”
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