DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum Falcons' Vick indicted by grand jury in dogfighting probe

One thing I will comment on is "buying Pits in the south". Anywhere actually,but to an even greater degree in the south.

The south is "the hub" of Pit Bull fighting in our country. There are more breeds that have been "bred for aggression" than in most areas of the country. Bred because of their verocity and natural aggression from generation to generation.

And the Vick case shows what happens to those that "don't cut the mustard" in that department. They're not bred,they're destroyed. In some cases they've been inbred to help create such aggression.

And that's more my point. This breed has been "selectively bred" to hone this behavior. And it's very sad indeed. The only way I trust buying a Pit is through a UKC breeder. You can trace their bloodlines for "show dogs" that have not been bred to fight nor be aggressive for generations.

I would be willing to bet this was not the case with the dog you're speaking of. I really don't care to debate the subject with anyone. I have studied it extencively and do know that checking their lineage through a UKC breeder is a pretty safe bet with a Pit.

But the vast majority of Pits weren't bred for show for the last several generations of Pit Bulls. It's MAN who has bred the meanest,most vicious of the breed for personal gain that has created this situation.

And I truely believe if you look how this operation handled the weak..............electricution,hanging them,shooting them,etc.....it's pretty easy to see why many Pits CAN turn mean. Because they've been bred to.

I'll pretend to act suprised here. Who wants to take bets on A. If/how long he gets suspended. and B. How much lighter he'll be in the pocket even if he's aquited.

Either way, his career outside of the NFL is toast.

j/c
ANY dog can be mean/aggressive. There is not a breed of dog in existence that has not bitten/attacked a human.

Having said that, let's get back to the topic at hand. Vick is accused of fighting pit bulls.

Why was he, or anyone, fighting pits as opposed to labs, or poodles? Because the pit has been bred for centuries for it's fighting/protective tendancies. The whole breed is a ferocious/aggressive breed.

Yes, I know there is always the "my dog would never......" story. Yes, I know the whole "dogs act like they are treated......." thing.

Fact is, pits and rots are aggressive in nature.....they can't help it. The "nicest pit" in the world can turn on someone in an instant, for no apparent reason. Just a year ago, maybe 2 years ago.......In Toledo, a family with "the nicest pit you could imagine" were horrified to see that their pit had attacked a kid walking on the sidewalk.

And yes, I know, every breed is capable of something like that, and every breed has examples of that.......what I also know is pits are more likely to continue their attack, if and when it happens, than any other breed.

Again, why are pits the ones that people use for fighting? Because that's what they do.

Sorry pit, (pit the poster) the pit bull should be left to die out, in my opinion. (unless there is something in their genes that cures cancer, there is no need for them. In my opinion.

Say what you will about the good pits........I can show you many tigers or lions that are fun and friendly and tame, right up until they kill their trainer.

I have never owned a pit, although I have been around a couple. I wouldn't trust them for anything. Give me a pit puppy that's been bred from the gentlest of the gentle, and I'd take it to the pound. From what I have seen, all dogs will obey their "master". But the pit is one breed that will attack for no reason, with no provocation.

Just my opinon. I do not own one, never have, and I did not sleep at a Holiday Inn express last night.

c. At what juncture does an "unpaid suspension" start?

Outstanding! I really dig this new commish!

Vick is nothing but trash and trash needs thrown out.

Like I said,but you aren't listenning,don't care and probably won't even bother to check the facts of the matter.

The United Kennel Club recognizes the breed. And lines have been "exclusively bred for show" for a great number of generations now.

But I don't expect you to check it,read about it or listen to it.

Because you only stayed "one night" instead of "a week" at the Holiday Inn Express.

Well....I'm torn.

On one hand, I think this guy is a slug and should be suspended. On the other, he should have his right to continue his profession until he is proven guilty.

Yes, he's brought shame to the team and league, PETA will be protesting all his games and the sponsors will start dropping away..........but he could be not guilty. In which case, this is the Duke lacross case all over again.

Now, this is coming from a guy that has listened to just about every ESPN snipit on this indictment and I have yet to see the evidence myself or hear of a crucial witness that's willing to testify against Vick. I could have missed something.........but I really haven't seen anything that would make ME think that Vick is guilty.

I hope Vick fights for his right to play, especially if he thinks he's not guilty.

Think of it this way, Kobe was allowed to play when he was on trial for RAPE. Don't get me wrong, dog fighting, betting on dog fighting and killing dogs is a horrible thing to be a part of but it's NOT EVEN CLOSE to raping a single human being. And Kobe kept his job.

Just to expand on the previous article and some comments in this thread.. some people might not get the reference Shep made regarding the pay scale for camp.. this article addresses that and several other issues.. it's just the full AP article. I for one learned something new today.. that being the pay rate for training camp for veterans.. read on..

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NFL orders Vick to stay out of training camp
Monday, July 23, 2007 10:25 PM
By DAVE GOLDBERG

Associated Press
NEW YORK—Michael Vick was ordered by commissioner Roger Goodell today to stay away from the Atlanta Falcons' training camp until the league reviews the dogfighting charges against him.
"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy," Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback.

The NFL said Vick would still get his preseason pay and Goodell told the Falcons to withhold any disciplinary action of their own until the league's review was completed.

Goodell told Vick the league would complete its review quickly and that he expected full cooperation. The review is expected to involve conversations with federal law enforcement officials so the NFL can determine the strength of the case against Vick.

The Falcons open camp on Thursday, the same day Vick is scheduled to be arraigned in Richmond, Va., on charges of sponsoring a dogfighting operation.

Team officials declined comment other than to say a news conference was scheduled Tuesday at owner Arthur Blank's office in Atlanta.

Blank, general manager Rich McKay and new coach Bobby Petrino are expected to speak publicly for the first time about their embattled quarterback. Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts said Vick, who is in Virginia, will not attend the news conference.

Petrino's wife, Becky Petrino, said her husband had not yet returned home when The Associated Press called tonight.

Vick hasn't commented publicly since the team held a mini-camp in May. None of the phone messages left on his cell phone have been returned. Lawyer Lawrence Woodward of Newport News, Va., also did not respond to interview requests Monday.

Vick, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, last season became the first quarterback ever to rush for more than 1,000 yards. He led the Falcons to an NFC wild-card win 2002, his first season as a starter, and in 2004, Vick's play helped the Falcons reach the conference title game.

NFL veteran players will earn $1,100 per week from the beginning of camp until the first week of the regular season.

The contract extension Vick signed in 2004, a 10-year deal worth approximately $130 million, calls for a $6 million salary this season.

After Vick's indictment last week, the NFL's position was that it would monitor developments and allow the legal process to "determine the facts."

Since then, pressure has been mounting on the league and the Falcons, particularly from animal-rights groups.

PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — demonstrated at Falcons' headquarters in Flowery Branch, Ga., today and did the same outside NFL offices in New York last week. At the same time, Goodell was meeting with officials from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The league and the ASPCA are working on a program to educate players about the proper treatment of animals.

Activists also pressured companies that have endorsements deals with Vick to sever their ties. Nike said it would not release a fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer. Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said the four shoe products and three shirts that currently bear Vick's name will remain in stores.

The Humane Society of the United States responded to the NFL's directive by renewing its call that the apparel company sever its relationship with Vick while the charges are pending.

Goodell's order came down after lengthy discussions involving the league office, the Falcons and the NFL Players' Association. Gene Upshaw, the NFLPA's executive director, was one of the first to side with Goodell when he instituted the strong Personal Conduct Policy after a season of repeated misdeeds by players.

Disciplining players has turned out to be Goodell's main focus since taking over last Sept. 1 for the retired Paul Tagliabue.

Since the end of last season, he has used the new policy to suspend Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Tennessee Titans for the entire 2007 season; and Chris Henry of Cincinnati and former Chicago Bear Tank Johnson for eight games each.

Those calling for Vick's suspension have noted that Jones, who faces charges of coercion in Las Vegas stemming from a shooting that left a man paralyzed, wasn't convicted when he was suspended.

However, league officials said there were mitigating circumstances in the Jones case.

In January, he accepted a plea agreement to dismiss public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges in Tennessee if he behaved himself for six months. League officials say that the charges in Las Vegas voided that agreement and were a major factor in his suspension.

The indictment of Vick alleges that about eight young dogs were put to death at his Surry County home after they were found not ready to fight. They were killed "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground."

Purses for the fights ranged from hundreds of dollars to the thousands, and participants and spectators often placed side bets on the outcome, according to the indictment

If convicted, Vick and three others charged with him could face up to six years in prison, and $350,000 in fines.

Quote:

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Think of it this way, Kobe was allowed to play when he was on trial for RAPE. Don't get me wrong, dog fighting, betting on dog fighting and killing dogs is a horrible thing to be a part of but it's NOT EVEN CLOSE to raping a single human being. And Kobe kept his job

---

The NFL is trying to clean up it's image though. So anyone messing up right now is going to be made an example.

What will eventually happen is something like this.

1st offense

Charge (misdemenor) = 2 game suspension
Charge (felony) = 4 game suspension

Conviction (misdemenor) = 4 game suspension
Conviction (felony) = 1 year suspension

2nd offense

Charge (misdemenor) = 4 game suspension
Charge (felony) = 8 game suspension

Conviction (misdemenor) = 4 game suspension
Conviction (felony) = see ya

We may get into subtle difference regarding the types of misdemenor and felony, but the direction is that being charged will be considered a violation of the personal conduct policy, and as such, justification for a suspension.

p.s. This thread will probably be merged with the Vick thread already running in Tailgate as this is 'Pure Football' only in that it affects his attendance at Camp.

I think you will find you are mistaken about Jones. He made a "plea agreement" in a seperate case to "keep his nose clean for six months" as part of that plea bargain and broke that agreement in the Vegas incident. So yes,techincly he DID break a previous plea agreement. This from the article Saint posted above...........................

Quote:

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However, league officials said there were mitigating circumstances in the Jones case.

In January, he accepted a plea agreement to dismiss public intoxication and disorderly conduct charges in Tennessee if he behaved himself for six months. League officials say that the charges in Las Vegas voided that agreement and were a major factor in his suspension.

---

So yes,they got Jones on a previous plea agreement that he broke. I don't know the "specifics" of how he broke it,but obviously from the league statement,he did. Could have been a curfew,staying out of bars,not associating with convited felons,etc..... But obviously he "did" break that plea agreement according to that NFL statement.

Nobody,no business and no league is "untouchable" PPE. And if you or they are unaware of that,it may be made painfully obvious in the not to distant future if they aren't carefull.

I don't want to see that happen. And I'm pretty sure Goodel doesn't either. And from everything I've read (because I have been looking closly into the matter) any agreement you sign that is not "constitutionaly correct" is void upon the very concept of the agreement.

I'm not an attorney,but I do believe that to be the case. There's a lot riding on this IMO

You won't see Mike Vick play another down in the NFL.

In a few years he'll be trying out for the Canadian Football League...a pity for all involved...especially the ignorant people who find this gambling venture to their liking.

Falcons to Speak on Vick's Future
Jul 24, 4:50 AM (ET) Email this Story

By GEORGE HENRY
ATLANTA (AP) -NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has weighed in on Michael Vick's indictment on dogfighting charges, and as a result the Falcons star was ordered to stay away from training camp until the league reviews the case.

The other men who could determine the future of Vick's football career - including Falcons owner Arthur Blank - were expected to be speak publicly Tuesday for the first time since the troubled quarterback was indicted.

It could be another pivotal day for Vick, though Goodell has asked Blank to wait for the NFL to finish its investigation before announcing the team's plans for Vick.

In a letter to Vick on Monday, Goodell instructed the Newport News, Va., native to stay away from training camp, at least for now.

"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the personal conduct policy," Goodell said.


Goodell also promised that the league would complete its review quickly, adding that he expected Vick's full cooperation. The NFL wants to speak with federal investigators and prosecutors to learn how strong of a case they have against the 27-year-old.

The Falcons open camp on Thursday, the same day Vick will be arraigned in Richmond, Va. He and three other men face charges of allegedly sponsoring a dogfighting operation and brutal treatment of pit bulls.

Along with Blank, Atlanta's general manager Rich McKay and new coach Bobby Petrino are also expected to speak publicly for the first time about Vick's future and his effect on the team.

Falcons spokesman Reggie Roberts said Vick, who is in Virginia, will not attend the news conference.

Vick hasn't commented publicly since the team held a mini-camp in May. None of the phone messages left on his cell phone have been returned. His lawyer, Lawrence Woodward of Newport News, Va., also did not respond to interview requests Monday.

Vick, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, last season became the first quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 yards last season. He led the Falcons to an NFC wild-card win 2002, his first season as a starter, and in 2004, Vick's play helped Atlanta reach the conference title game.

The Falcons will pay Vick during his hiatus. NFL veteran players earn $1,100 per week from the beginning of camp until the first week of the regular season.

Vick signed a 10-year contract extension in 2004 worth approximately $130 million. His salary this season is $6 million.

Before Monday, the league, the NFL players' union and the Falcons had yet to make a definitive statement on Vick, each saying they would monitor developments and allow the legal process to "determine the facts."

Since then, pressure has mounted publicly and particularly from animal-rights activists.

PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - demonstrated at Falcons' headquarters in Flowery Branch, Ga., on Monday.

While PETA was demonstrating last Friday outside the NFL offices in New York last week, Goodell was meeting with officials from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The league and the ASPCA are working on a program to educate players about the proper treatment of animals.

Activists also pressured companies that have endorsements deals with Vick to sever their ties, and Nike said it would withhold release of a fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer.

Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said the four shoe products and three shirts that currently bear Vick's name will remain in stores.

The Humane Society of the United States has asked the apparel company to sever its relationship with Vick immediately.

Goodell's order came down after several talks with the Falcons and Gene Upshaw, the union's executive director.

In his first year as commissioner, Goodell has acted decisively in using the NFL's new conduct policy, suspended Adam "Pacman" Jones of the Tennessee Titans for the upcoming year and telling Cincinnati's Chris Henry and former Chicago Bears lineman Tank Johnson that they will miss the first eight games in 2007.

Vick's indictment states that several pit bulls at his Surry County home were killed if they weren't strong enough to fight. The federal government says Vick and his associates executed the dogs "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground."

Purses for the fights ranged from hundreds of dollars to the thousands, and participants and spectators often placed side bets on the outcome, according to the indictment

If convicted, Vick and three others charged with him could face up to six years in prison, and $350,000 in fines.

^---=

AP Football Writer Dave Goldberg contributed to this report.

Ralphie, Chris Mortenson said this morning on ESPN that Vick has played his last down with the Falcons. I can't see anyone picking up this piece of garbage either, so you very well may be right.

I really hope the league makes an example of Vick (once again, with the disclaimer that he did have something to do with this and this isn't just a prosecution for being a famous person). I don't foresee any other players coming to his defense, and I think this would really help send the message that if you're dumb enough to do something like this (a freakin' federal rap for God's sake!), you're going to be severely punished.

Hey Ronnie Mexico, hope you won a lot on those bets because you're essentially costing yourself a few hundred million in contracts and endorsements. Seems like a good trade-off, huh?

Falcons owner planned to suspend Vick before Goodell intervened

July 24, 2007
ATLANTA (TICKER) -- A day after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has ordered quarterback Michael Vick not to report to training camp, the Atlanta Falcons decided to let their voices be heard.

Speaking publicly for the first time on Vick's federal indictment on dogfighting charges, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said on Tuesday that he was prepared to hand down the maximum suspension of four games before the commissioner intervened.

Blank said he would comply with the commissioner's request not to suspend Vick and stated the team's position will be to let the legal process play out before exercising its next move.

Through his words, Blank also offered some advice to his beleaguered quarterback.

"My own counsel to Michael would be that the charges are extremely serious, this isn't about playing football in 2007. It's about having a life outside of football," Blank said.

"It would be very difficult for him to do that and to be focused on football at the same time."

Blank did not address the possibility of welcoming Vick back should he be found not guilty of the charges.

On Monday, Goodell directed Atlanta to withhold any team discipline concerning the matter until the NFL has finished its investigation.

The commissioner also ordered Vick to stay away from camp until an NFL review of his situation was complete. He informed Vick that the review would be completed as soon as possible and that his full cooperation is expected.

"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy," Goodell said in a letter to the quarterback.

Vick will not forfeit his preseason pay during his excused absence from training camp and will not receive any team discipline until the NFL review is completed.

There were rumors that Vick might not have a team to go to following the completion of the investigation, as the Falcons might cut the beleaguered quarterback.

Rich McKay, the team's president and general manager, addressed the possibility of that move.

"We discussed every option and we felt that the appropriate step was to impose a suspension," McKay said. "We do need to remember that there are more facts in the future, but we did discuss all avenues. This is the one we felt most comfortable with."

One avenue the Falcons may not be comfortable with is having Joey Harrington as the team's starting quarterback. In addition, while Georgia-product D.J. Shockley is also on the roster, the Falcons' brass did not discount looking to sign another quarterback.

While nothing has been proven, Vick certainly has been hit with some gruesome charges. The indictment states that the dogs were procured and trained to fight to the death - or close to it.

The operation was named "Bad Newz Kennels," according to the indictments.

In the 18-page indictment handed down by the federal government, Vick was named 51 times. Page 17 of the indictment paints an ugly picture of Vick's involvement.

"In or about April 2007, Peace Phillips and Vick executed approximately eight dogs that did not perform well in 'testing' sessions at 1915 Moonlight Road by various methods, including hanging, drowning and slamming at least one dog's body to the ground," the page read.

If convicted, Vick and the others could face up to six years in prison and $350,000 in fines and restitution.

Heinous crimes to be certain - and Blank agreed, but they are not indicative of who he's known Vick to be.

"It's not the young man that I have gotten to know," Blank said.

Throughout Tuesday's press conference, Blank reiterated that the Falcons are trying to do the right thing.

"To our fans, and to all fans of the NFL, I want to emphasize that this team and the entire organization is committed to doing the right thing on and off the field. ... No one individual will compromise what we stand for," Blank said.

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Just clicking... who else is going to want Vick after this? Team wise?

You mean, besides the Bengals?

I heard a few numbnuts today on a prominent sports talk show questioning why the public is so upset about dog fighting. These guys made the "it's only a dog" case along with trying the absurd argument that greyhound racing and horse racing each occassionally end up with dead animals.

I do hope that Vick is shown to simply have been negligent in policing his property rather than being an active participant. I do hope that I win the Florida lottery this weekend also.

Something I've been wondering about this case;

Do they have any definitive evidence of Vick at dogfights or participating in any of the training for these dogs.

A friend of mine told me that they seized like 4 videotapes of Vick at dogfights in the home in Va. But I didn't read anything about this. Has anyone heard of these supposed videotapes?

Also, I think that witness testimony of Vick being at these places might be a little suspect seeing as how it is coming from people involved in dogfighting who obviously have something to gain by implicating Vick. So I think there are probably some credibility issues right there that the defense can play on.

But videotapes would speak volumes to legitimize the testimony of these individuals.

I don't know what evidence they have on him, to my knowledge, they haven't made it all public. But I don't think that in this legal climate, they would indict him without something proving his involvement.

I doubt that any DA would stick his neck out there given what just occured to the guy that was trying to hang a LaCrosse team out to dry a couple of months ago. ( not sure why, but my mind went blank on the school and the DA that did the misdeed)

The school would be Duke

Looks like we gonna see how he pleads shortly..

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Vick to give plea on dogfighting charges By HANK KURZ Jr., AP Sports Writer
2 hours, 15 minutes ago



RICHMOND, Va. - Michael Vick was due in federal court Thursday to start a legal process that jeopardizes not only his career, but also his freedom. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was expected to appear at a bond hearing and enter a plea on dogfighting conspiracy charges.


Vick is accused with three others of conspiracy involving competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting, and conducting the enterprise across state lines. Federal prosecutors allege the operation — known as Bad Newz Kennels — operated on Vick's property in rural Surry County.

The grisly allegations detailed in an 18-page indictment sparked protests by animal rights groups at the headquarters of the NFL and the Falcons, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has barred Vick from training camp while the league investigates.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said the team wanted to suspend Vick for four games, the maximum penalty a team can assess a player, but the NFL asked him to wait. Instead, Blank has told his embattled player to focus on his legal problems, not football.

The Falcons opened their first camp under coach Bobby Petrino on Thursday.

The case began April 25 when investigators conducting a drug search at the home found 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls, and equipment typically used in dogfighting. Items such as a "rape stand" that holds aggressive dogs in place for mating and a "breakstick" used to pry open a dog's mouth in a fight were seized.

Vick contended he knew nothing about a dogfighting operation at the home, where one of his cousins lived, and said he rarely visited. He has since declined comment, citing his attorney's advice.

Attorney Lawrence Woodward of Virginia Beach, who has also represented Allen Iverson and Vick's younger brother, Marcus, has not returned several phone messages.

Animal rights organizations have seized on the case as an opportunity to raise awareness of the largely underground and always gruesome world of dogfighting, where dogs are trained to fight to the death.

Five hours before Vick's scheduled arraignment, animal rights activists, supporters of the athlete and the media gathered early Thursday outside the federal courthouse. About 40 people began queuing for a seat in the courtroom or an overflow courtroom.

Some members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals dressed in dog costumes and carried signs, including one with the image of a battered pit bull and the words "Dogfighting Victim."

A trio of supporters from Boston wearing Vick's No. 7 jersey and Atlanta Falcons' hats made the nine-hour trip south to support Vick.

"It was time someone should step up and support him," said Nick Fontecchio, one of the three.

Downtown workers honked at the gathering crowd as they drove to their offices.

Streets near the courthouse were closed Wednesday night, and dozens of television trucks were already in place near the building. Court security was apparent as the crowd swelled early Thursday.

According to the indictment filed July 17, dogs not killed in the fighting pit were often shot, hanged, drowned or, in one case, slammed to the ground. The document alleges that Vick was consulted before one losing dog was wet down and electrocuted.

It alleges that the dogfighting operation began in 2001, not long after Vick parlayed a dazzling two-year run as the quarterback at Virginia Tech into the first overall selection in the NFL Draft. His first contract was for $62 million.

In 2004, he signed a 10-year, $130 million deal, then the richest in league history.

The indictment alleges the fights offered purses as high as $26,000, and Vick once paid $23,000 to the owner of two pit bulls that had beaten Bad Newz Kennels dogs.

That owner is one of four cooperating witnesses cited in the document.

Charged along with Vick are Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach; Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta; and Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton. They all face up to six years in prison, $350,000 in fines and restitution if convicted of both charges.

___

Associated Press writer Dionne Walker contributed to this report

No big surprise here.....

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Not guilty! LOL. Ranks right up there with Lindsey Lohan's not guilty plea.

Vick Arrives in Virginia Court
NFL Star Quarterback Michael Vick Arrives in Richmond, Va., Court to Answer Dogfighting Charges
RICHMOND, VA - JULY 26: Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick arrives for arraignment in federal court July 26, 2007 in Richmond, Virginia. Vick and three associates were indicted earlier this month on charges related to their alleged role in an interstate dogfighting ring. (Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)The Associated Press By HANK KURZ JR. AP Sports Writer
RICHMOND, Va. Jul 26, 2007 (AP)
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Share Amid boos from spectators, NFL star Michael Vick arrived at a federal courthouse Thursday to answer accusations that he was involved in a brutal dogfighting operation.

The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was to appear at a bond hearing and enter a plea on dogfighting conspiracy charges. He said nothing as he walked into the courthouse, which was lined by spectators who began gathering at dawn.

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Vick arrived at 3 p.m. in a black sport utility vehicle and was booed by a crowd of hundreds.

Wearing a dark suit and blue shirt, Vick looked straight ahead as he walked up the ramp to the courthouse.

Vick is accused with three others of conspiracy involving competitive dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for fighting, and conducting the enterprise across state lines. Federal prosecutors allege the operation known as Bad Newz Kennels operated on Vick's property in Surry County.

The allegations detailed in a graphic, 18-page indictment sparked protests by animal rights groups at the headquarters of the NFL and the Falcons, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has barred Vick from training camp while the league investigates.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said the team wanted to suspend Vick for four games, the maximum penalty a team can assess a player, but the NFL asked the Falcons to wait. Instead, Blank has told Vick to focus on his legal problems, not football.

Thursday, the Falcons opened their first camp under coach Bobby Petrino.

The case began April 25 when investigators conducting a drug search at the property found 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls, and equipment typically used in dogfighting. They included a "rape stand" that holds aggressive dogs in place for mating and a "breakstick" used to pry open a dog's mouth.

Vick contended he knew nothing about a dogfighting operation at the home, where one of his cousins lived, and said he rarely visited. He has since declined comment, citing his attorney's advice.

Attorney Lawrence Woodward of Virginia Beach, who has also represented Allen Iverson and Vick's younger brother, Marcus, has not returned several phone messages.


NFL Star Quarterback Michael Vick Arrives in Richmond, Va., Court to Answer Dogfighting ChargesFont Size

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Share Animal rights organizations have seized on the case as an opportunity to raise awareness of the largely underground and always gruesome world of dogfighting, where two dogs are trained to fight to the death sometimes for hours until the end.

Related Stories
Vick Due in Court With Career on Line Falcons Owner 'Disappointed' in VickNFL Kicks Vick: 'Stay Away' From CampVick Told to Stay Out of Training CampShoe Drops: Nike Halts Sneaker ReleaseDog Fighting: Cruel, Corrupt, and LucrativeSacked! NFL QB Indicted in Dogfight ProbeVick Under Different Kind of PressurePHOTOS: Unsportsmanlike BehaviorNBA Investigated Referee Donaghy in 2005FBI probing NBA referee suspected of betting on gamesTop Sports stories
Foul! Summer of Scandal Rocks Sports World; Commissioners in Hot Seat Tour de Fraud? Leader, Favorites Bumped Waterlogged Fans Fight for Bonds' Baseballs
Early Thursday, activists, Vick fans and the media gathered outside the federal courthouse. Some members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals dressed in dog costumes and carried signs, including one with the image of a battered pit bull and the words "Dogfighting Victim." Some people brought their dogs.

According to the indictment filed July 17, dogs not killed in the fighting pit often were shot, hanged, drowned or, in one case, slammed to the ground. The document alleges that Vick was consulted before one losing dog was wet down and electrocuted.

It alleges that the dogfighting operation began in 2001, not long after Vick parlayed a dazzling two-year run as the quarterback at Virginia Tech into being the first overall selection in the NFL draft. His first contract was for $62 million.

In 2004, he signed a 10-year, $130 million deal, then the richest in league history.

The indictment alleges the fights offered purses as high as $26,000, and that Vick once paid $23,000 to the owner of two pit bulls that had beaten Bad Newz Kennels dogs.

That owner is one of four cooperating witnesses cited in the document.

Charged along with Vick are Purnell A. Peace, 35, of Virginia Beach; Quanis L. Phillips, 28, of Atlanta; and Tony Taylor, 34, of Hampton. They all face up to six years in prison, $350,000 in fines and restitution if convicted of both charges.


Associated Press writers Dionne Walker, Larry O'Dell and Michael Felberbaum contributed to this report.

To be honest, other than "witnesses" all of whom with credibility issues, the prosecution only has a bunch of paraphenalia on the Surry County property. This doesn't prove Vicks involvement.

Unless they have video placing Vick at a dogfight, or executing dogs I think that he'll get off.

Falcons | Authorities to seek subsequent indictment of Vick
Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:51:54 -0700

Roger Cossack, of ESPN, reports federal prosecutors will seek a subsequent indictment of Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick in August.

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

Even more trouble on the way?

I won't judge ol' Vick yet, but it sure seems the feds are convinced he's in this up to his eyeballs..... this is way more than a "it happened at one of my houses" type of thing...

...but if he was really "up to his eyeballs", why is he pleading not guilty? Why not a plea bargin? Why not just go with guilty if they have so much evidence to place him at the scene?

Vick's lawyers know the evidence against him and still think he can get off. And you know he's not letting his buddy from high school represent him. He's got the best lawyers money can buy.

I think this tells me a lot. The evidence is a few phone calls and maybe a shaky eye witness (that might have an axe to grind). He'll prolly skip on the harsh stuff and get some probabtion on some lesser items.

Because the investigation is still unfolding... and I don't think Vick's lawyers do know all of the evidence they have against him.. that stuff will become more clear during discovery... If Vick pleads out then it's over, he's guilty of something... so why not ride it out a while, see what they've got, see if they royally screw something up during the investigation that gets you out of it... he can always try to cop a plea later if it appears they have more than expected... granted it's a bit of a gamble because the more evidence they accumulate the worse his bargaining position becomes... My guess is at this point they would have wanted him to plea out to more than he wanted to....

Punch,
If you read the Indictment, you will see that the feds have only shown so far that 4 witnesses have come out and told stories about the dog fights. So all we have so far is the Fed's witnesses vs Vick right now. If I was Vick's lawyers, I would go after those guys because they are not from the church choir!! SO he should not think about pleading out until the Feds come out with something better. Right now, this is 4 witnesses vs. Vick!

Any one watching Rome is burning?
Gregg Biffle was heard saying he wished they would just throw him in jail , and get it over with.