By Tim McGlone
The Virginian-Pilot
The federal government is preparing to dispose of most of the dogs seized from Michael Vick's Surry County property during its investigation into a dogfighting operation.
The fate of the 53 pit bulls will rest with a federal judge. Animal rights groups have suggested that the dogs be euthanized because they have been trained to be fighters, not pets.
The U.S. attorney's office published notices last month giving anyone until Thursday to claim ownership of one or more of the dogs. Following federal law, the government in early July filed a civil action in court seizing the animals.
If no one steps forward to claim ownership, the case will move to a federal judge who has two options: sell the dogs or dispose of them "by other humane means."
Other humane means usually results in killing the dogs, animal rights experts say.
"If there is a professional dogfighting operation, we typically recommend euthanasia of the animals," said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, an animal rights group.
In April, Surry County authorities seized 66 dogs from Vick's property at 1915 Moonlight Road as an investigation into dogfighting began unfolding. Since then, federal officials took over the case, and three men with ties to Vick have admitted in court their roles in the dogfighting operation.
Vick, the fourth defendant, has not accepted a plea deal, but that could still happen before a new grand jury begins hearing evidence this week that could lead to more serious charges.
The Atlanta Falcons star quarterback and Newport News native is accused of running Bad Newz Kennels at his 15-acre property. The men fought pit bulls against other groups, betting by $100 and $1,000 increments, according to the indictment.
The fighting dogs had names such as Maniac, Magic, Chico and Jane. Dogs that lost fights or lacked promise were drowned, electrocuted, hanged or shot, the indictment said, and at least one dog was slammed to the ground.
Federal authorities seized control of 53 of the 66 dogs in early July. The dogs are being housed in animal shelters in Surry County, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Dinwiddie County and possibly other locations.
The U.S. a ttorney's o ffice published three legal notices in a Richmond newspaper asking anyone who can prove ownership to file a claim within 30 days.
The deadline is Thursday, but no one has filed a claim, according to the court file.
If no one seeks to regain ownership of the 53 dogs, a federal judge will issue an order deciding the dogs' fate. The fate of the remaining 13 dogs, which are under Surry County control, is unknown. County officials did not respond to repeated inquiries.
The option of selling the 53 dogs appears almost entirely out of the question, according to animal rights groups.
Norfolk-based People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals cautioned that people may seek to adopt the dogs for the wrong reasons, such as boasting of having a "Michael Vick dog" or returning the animals to the dogfighting pits.
"In most cases, pit bulls seized from dogfighting rings are euthanized, and as sad as that is to all of us, it may be the best thing to do for everyone concerned," PETA spokesman Dan Shannon said.
Pacelle said, "If the current set of facts is not disputed, that they were killing off the less aggressive animals and keeping alive the best, most aggressive fighters, then it does not make sense to keep these animals alive."
"It's a very difficult thing to reprogram a fighting dog," he said. "It's a tragic and sad circumstance that rests at the feet of the people who abused these animals this way."
Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com
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Save the dogs
Do Not kill them. Vick should be financially responsible for them for the rest of their lives. Why is PETA so anxious for them to be killed, looks like they want want to hold Vick responsible for their well being also?
Why are
Why are those the only choices in the poll? What happened to rehanilitaion?
Do not kill these dogs
Michael Vick should be responsible for financially taking care of these dogs for the rest of their natural life. They should live the life of luxury in a safe home, Vet care, a Chef, a trainer, and any other need they may have. That's the humane thing to do.
Great idea
What a great idea for Michael Vick to finance the recovery of these dogs, and their lives until natural death; I don't think fighting dogs belong with families, no matter the breed, so I'm for Vick supporting their lives.
Fair-trade for Vick dogs
Considering what China has sent us under the guise of children's toys, perhaps the dogs could be sent to China under the label of "house pets." Of course they would probably be returned in cans of pet food, or worse.
Vick's dogs
the dogs deserve a chance to become family pets. Fighting dogs are bred to be dog-agressive, not people aggressive. Most of these dogs can make loving family pets in one pet homes. Animal rights organizations such as HSUS are the ones stating that these dogs are "vicious, dangerous killers". They are actually quite submissive and loving to humans, even those people not their owners as they have to be handled in the pits, while fighting and while injured. These dogs deserve the chance to show the public that they are not "killers". Let them be adopted by those with experience with "bully" breeds and become "poster children" for pitbulls everywhere.
This is sad
I've been hearing so much about how to punish Mike V. This whole crap is crazy. I used to be scared of them but i'm not, my bf has one. I think that the ones that aren't too far gone can be reprogrammed you have all these professional "dog trainers" why cant you use Vick's and his "friends" money to pay and get some help for those dogs that can be saved. Its not fair to punish all 53 dogs for the stupidity of those people! i mean hire the "dog whisperer" help these dogs live out their lives normally!!
Mirroring the positive comments
I agree with the pursuit of rehabbing these animals. Looking into other cases you will find animals used in fighting have become family pets & are very loving. I think Vick ought to pay for the rehabbing of everyone of these animals & lifetime luxury care for the very few that the animal behaviorist deems best not re home; after much work. I want the fines heavy and spread out to rescue groups & the shelters that have housed these animals & to fund an army of folks to walk the planet inch by inch to find every fighting ring that there is. Bad news is right; fighting is tied to all kinds of unfortunate happenings, all illegal and counterproductive to human life; no all life. Let us not make a bad end to a sad life. Let them live. Namaste'
Are we really suprised?
Does it really suprise you? The only reason the truth came out so quickly is the "good friends" sold young Mr. Vick to the head hunters. It is truly a shame the young man lived up to his potential, I was rooting for him to be the one man who truly could and would make a difference to his community. Oh well, I guess that only happens in the movies and fairy tales. Once a gangsta........ sure wish I was wrong. Enjoy your stay in jail sweetie.
Dispose of????
I think the dogs should live out the rest of their lives in a really nice deluxe doggy spa paid for with Michael Vicks money. We should put Michael Vick and his co-defendants in a cage until we decide how to dispose of them. I hope that Michael and his "friends" all come back in another life as a dog that is owned by someone just like they are. I hope you rot in hell, Michael Vick.
Vick should be charged with the death of these dogs too.
It was his actions that determine that the dogs should be put to sleep. They are too aggresive for pets and this results from training the dogs to fight. All supported by Vick and his money. The dogs blood in on his hands.
Euthanize
I love dogs more than I love most people, however, euthanization will probably be the most humane thing done to these dogs in their lives. They were never given a chance, but they are programmed and, most likely, easily angered. Sad case all around. I do think, however, that before they euthanize them, they ought to let Vick into a room with every one of them at the same time and give him a chance to see if he can tame them.
Pitbull fate..........
Drop 'em off on PETA's front porch. I'm sure, in time, they can be rehabilitated.
Abuse
I think they should stay where they are and that Michael Vick's and his accomplices should be responsible financially for the care and maintaining of each of these animals until they die of natural causes. It's not fair that the dogs are being victimized twice. Laws are to easy, Vicks and the others serve a couple of months in jail for a year sentence and are free on probation (good behavior). The dogs have to pay the price over and over for the owners bad behavior including death. How fair of a society have we become. These dogs have never been given a chance. More time has been spent on what to do with these people who abused them than what to do with the animals.
Killing all the dogs is not necessary
HSUS & PETA should not be quoted as "experts" when it comes to the fate of these dogs. Their typical collective solution to most companion animal challenges is to kill the poor beasts. They were even cited recently in USA Today as opponents to ending the killing of animals in US shelters! I laud HSUS' investigative branch but they have never been involved in sheltering, nor has PETA. Thousands of Adoption Guarantee shelters & rescue groups stand ready to take "just one" of these dogs and give them an individual chance; committing private resources to rehabilitating or, if that is impossible, humanely euthanizing them. The dogs would be assessed as individuals - it is the least we can do, given the hell they've seen and endured.
Save those that can be saved
Some of these dogs can probably be good pets and working dogs (working as in agility, pulling competitions, etc). The ones that can be saved, should be saved and adopted to people who have experience with the breed and the time to spend training and psychologically rehabbing them. As sad as it is, there are probably also several who cannot be saved. These dogs have endured horrific abuse and it shouldn't surprise anyone that some may not trust people and most will not be able to be housed with other animals. The ones we cannot help will have to be euthanized but at least the won't die in torture at the hands of Vick and others like him.
For their sake, let us all hope that 'all dogs really do go to heaven'.
Unfortunately, no choice here
The dogs should be euthanized. If they've been trained to fight, they pose a threat to all with whom they come in contact, and by no fault of their own. It's sad to think that the humans who bred them for this purpose have, comparatively, only a tap on the wrist awaiting them as punishment for this crime against the canine race.