Michael Vick enters guilty plea

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has pleaded guilty to a state dog fighting charge in Virginia. The 28-year-old Vick pleaded guilty Tuesday to one charge of torturing animals. Vick was given a three-year suspended sentence. The plea could potentially speed his return to the NFL. Federal law prohibits prisoners from being released to a halfway house if there are unresolved charges pending.

(Associated Press)

Michael Vick dog fighting case promotes cause

A national animal rights group is using a high-profile Georgia dog fighting case to promote its cause. The Humane Society of the United States is promoting a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of dog fighters. The group says Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's guilty plea to dogfighting charges is raising awareness of dog fighting. The case also prompted Georgia lawmakers to toughen state laws on dog fighting.

New law makes dog fighting a felony

A new law signed by Governor Sonny Perdue today, makes it a felony to own, breed or transport fighting dogs in Georgia. "I refuse to call it a sport. It's not a sport. It's really barbarism and it’s dangerous and cruel and for those of us who love animals and dogs particularly, it’s unconscionable," says Perdue.

The new law also means anyone convicted of betting on or advertising dog fighting also faces felony charges. Finally anyone caught attending a dog fight, will be charged with a misdemeanor.

State Senator Chip Rogers of Woodstock is one of the bill's sponsors.

"I started on this journey back when Michael Vick was just known as the quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons. Unfortunately, what he got involved with helped us bring this terrible, terrible tragedy of dog fighting to light. I say unfortunate for him, but fortunate for the rest of us, because I think it helped us bring us to this day today. We are now making a very bold statement, and that is dog fighting will not be tolerated in the state of Georgia."

Animal rights enthusiasts applauded the new law, which takes effect immediately. Georgia had been ranked by at the bottom nationwide when it comes to dog fighting laws.

Bills head to Governor's desk

Two bills of note on their way to the Governor's desk today … tougher penalties on unlicensed drivers and people who participate in dog fighting. Today the Senate approved a measure to prosecute a person caught four times in five years driving without a license as a felon. The Senate also gave unanimous final passage to making it a felony to engage in dogfighting. It would also be a crime to attend a dog fight or breed dogs for fighting.

Bill would make dogfighting a felony

Today a legislative committee approved a measure making it a felony to host dog fights or train canines for dogfighting. A first offense would carry a prison term of up to five years, a minimum $5,000 fine or both. It would also allow prosecutors to charge dog fight spectators with a misdemeanor. Dogfighting is already illegal in Georgia, but it’s hard to prosecute people because current law allows only people caught in the act to be charged with a misdemeanor.

Last Vick co-defendant sentenced

All of the defendants in the Michael Vick dog fighting conspiracy have now been sentenced. Today the fourth and last defendant in the case got two months in prison. Tony Taylor of Hampton pleaded guilty to conspiring with Michael Vick’s dog fighting operation in Virginia. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was sentenced to 23 months on Monday.

Judge Signals Vick Can Expect a Long Prison Stay

Vick. (Haraz N. Ghanbari / AP)

Michael Vick can't say he wasn't warned. The man with the little white dog did just that a few months ago when Vick stood before him and admitted that not only did he sponsor dog fights, but also killed some of the losers.

"You're taking your chances here," Judge Henry Hudson told him. "You'll have to live with whatever decision I make."

Vick won't have to wait long to find out what decision that is. A week from Monday he'll go before Hudson again and find out the price he will pay for crimes that horrified dog lovers everywhere.

Unfortunately for the disgraced quarterback, Hudson seems to be one of them.

"You may have thought this was sporting, but it was very callous and cruel," Hudson told one of Vick's co-defendants before sentencing him to 21 months in prison Friday.

Vick wasn't in the courtroom to see two friends sent away to prison. He's already in jail himself, nearing the end of his second week at the Northern Neck Regional Jail, where he enrolled just in time to catch the special Thanksgiving Day feast.

Vick was never going to get the maximum five-year sentence, because first-time offenders never do no matter how famous. But Hudson, a bichon frise owner, signaled he won't err on the side of leniency, sentencing Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace to the upper end of federal sentencing recommendations.

Vick's attorneys did well in negotiating a proposed sentence of 12 to 18 months, with federal prosecutors agreeing to recommend the lower end. But the judge is not bound to accept that deal. With Vick already the poster child for animal abuse, you can expect he will be treated even harsher by the judge.

It's not just the prison time that will hurt Vick. The clock is also ticking on whatever chance he has of playing in the NFL again.

A few months could make a big difference for the 27-year-old's hopes. If he gets 18 months he could conceivably be out in time for the 2009 season, but a 24-month sentence would push a possible return date back another year.

Vick, meanwhile, has even more things to worry about as he ponders the reality of prison life. He faces a possible April 2 trial on similar charges brought in state court against he and his co-defendants, and his financial future is in the hands of another federal judge as he tries to hold onto nearly $20 million in bonuses that the Atlanta Falcons are trying to get back.

The good news is the dogs who once fought for him will now be enjoying the good life. Vick agreed earlier this week to demands from prosecutors to set aside $928,000 to care for the pit bulls seized from the dogfighting operation.

(Click here for more GPB coverage about Michael Vick)

Man admits selling dog to Vick

Another man has pleaded guilty in connection with Michael Vick’s dog fighting case. Oscar Allen admits to selling the suspended Atlanta Falcons Quarterback a champion pit bull. Allen admitted in a statement that he sold a female pit bull named Jane in 2001 to Vick’s company –called Bad Newz Kennels -- in rural Virginia. Vick and three co-defendants have also pleaded guilty.

Vick gets state trial date, dog care lessons

The state dog fighting trial against Michael Vick is scheduled to start November 27th in Virginia. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback was charged last week in rural Surry County, where police say Vick has run a dog fighting enterprise since 2001. Vick has already pleaded guilty to federal charges. He has been suspended indefinitely by the NFL without pay.

Michael Vick also recently spent eight hours learning how to care for animals. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals spokesman Dan Shannon said Vick was attentive and inquisitive during a September 18 class on animal protection and empathy in Norfolk, Virginia. Vick was the only student. PETA wants the NFL to require the course, or one like it, for all players.

Vick indicted in Virginia

Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick now faces state charges in Virginia related to dog fighting. Today a grand jury handed down indictments against Vick and three co-defendants. However, the grand jury declined to indict them on animal cruelty charges. Vick has already pleaded guilty to federal dog fighting charges and is scheduled to be sentenced in December.

Sheriffs to offer dog fighting rewards

The Georgia Sheriff's Association will offer rewards for people who supply information about dogfighting. The GSA plans to hand out up to $2,500 for information leading to a conviction on dogfighting charges. One major figure behind the idea is Gwinnett County Sheriff Butch Conway, who offered $10,000 of his money in July for information about dogfighting. He said he acted in response to news reports about the Michael Vick case. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback has pleaded guilty to dog fighting charges and has been suspended indefinitely from the NFL.

Vick's fighting dogs face being put down

As part of its investigation into Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, the government seized dozens of animals from Vick’s Virginia property. Now investigators have asked animal behavior experts to examine about 50 seized pit bulls. They want to know whether the dogs – which were used for fighting – are adoptable, or whether they should be put to sleep. The evaluations are expected to take about three weeks. Vick pleaded guilty today to dog fighting.

More on Vick's statement is here.

Columbus man charged with dogfighting

Columbus police charged a city resident with dogfighting and cruelty to animals on Sunday. The 32-year-old was jailed without bond.

A neighbor called police after she saw two dogs fighting in the individual's yard, according to the report.

The suspect is to go before a Recorder's Court judge today.

Micheal Vick signs plea deal

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has signed a federal plea agreement on charges of illegal dog fighting and helping to kill dogs. On Monday, Michael Vick will enter a guilty plea in a federal court in Virginia on allegations that could land him in prison for up to five years.

The ten page plea agreement details charges dating back to 2001, when Vick and his former co-defendants, operated the Bad Newz Kennels. Authorities say Vick purchased the Virginia property for the sole purpose of raising and training pit bulls to fight.

News of how losing dogs were put to death prompted animal rights activists to call for Vick’s ouster from the NFL. However, a spokesperson for the NFL says it will wait till Monday to decide Vick’s future.

On the federal charges, Michael Vick will have to pay a fine of 250-thousand dollars, and is subject to three years supervised release following his jail term. Vick could still face state dog fighting charges in Virginia.

NAACP quells local Vick comments

The National Association of the Advancement of Colored people is trying to quell controversy stirred yesterday by its Atlanta chapter. Yesterday the head of the Atlanta NAACP said Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick could be the victim of a conspiracy to get him to plead guilty to dog fighting charges. Today, the national organization’s interim president told the Today show that the national chapter won’t take a stance on Vick. He said he does not personally consider Michael Vick to be a victim.

Meanwhile, more than 50 pit bulls taken from Vick's Virginia property face being put down if no one adopts them. If no one comes forward by the end of today, they could be euthanized.

Falcons' reaction to Vick plea deal

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said last Friday before the team’s second preseason game in Buffalo that he would act decisively once a resolution came-in concerning Michael Vick. However, he has been asked by the NFL to hold-off on any action, until the league makes its decision on their action. Blank did speak to the NFL Network yesterday after news came down that Vick would plead guilty next week:

"From a personal standpoint I think he's doing the right thing, and that's been my counsel to him quite some while ago and publicly as well to get this behind as quickly as he can and take responsibility for whatever he did".

There was reaction from a teammate of Vick's. Wide receiver Joe Horn joined the Falcons in the off-season, but has known Vick for longer. He spoke to ESPN Monday:

"Mike is a friend of mine, and he’s going through some stuff right now in his life. People make mistakes. Was it wrong to fight dogs?...I don’t agree with that at all, but I love Michael Vick as a friend, and I’m always going to be his friend. People go through things in life".

The Falcons will play their 1st home game of the year next Monday, a preseason game at the Georgia Dome. It will be the same day Vick enters his plea in Virginia federal court.

Michael Vick will plead guilty

Michael Vick's lawyer says NFL quarterback is ready to enter a guilty plea in connection with a dogfighting case. The attorney says Vick will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges. It's a plea that could send him to prison, and jeopardize his football career. The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of $250,000. But federal sentencing guidelines would probably call for less. All three of Vick's co-defendants had already reached plea deals. In a statement issued in Richmond, Virginia, the lawyer says the Atlanta Falcons quarterback has agreed to "accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made." He says Vick "wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter." Vick's plea hearing will be held on August 27th.

Here is a statement from the Atlanta Falcons management:

“We are certainly troubled with the news today concerning Michael Vick’s guilty plea to federal charges. It is our understanding that the terms of Michael's plea will not be available until next Monday, August 27. Additionally, Commissioner Goodell has asked us not to take any action until he has completed his own review of Michael's situation. Accordingly, we will have no further comment until that time."

Paper: Virginia could seek Vick charges

Michael Vick could face additional state charges for dog fighting. Virginia’s Attorney General tells the Atlanta-Journal Constitution today he will prosecute Vick for allegedly running a dogfighting ring out of his Virginia property. Gerald Poindexter told the paper he could submit his case to a grand jury next month. Vick faces federal charges stemming from the dog fighting allegations. His lawyers are still negotiating with prosecutors on a plea deal, although it’s not certain Vick will accept it. Vick’s three co-defendants have pleaded guilty and one agreed to testify against Vick.

Vick may be in plea talks

Attorneys for Falcons’ quarterback Michael Vick are reported to be in plea negotiations.

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a source close to the talks indicates Vick might reach a deal with federal prosecutors before new federal dog fighting charges come down next week.

The remaining two of Vick’s three co-defendants in the case are set to enter guilty pleas later this week. 35-year-old Purnell Peace and 28-year-old Quanis Phillips have plea hearings scheduled for Thursday and Friday respectively. Another defendant, Tony Taylor, pleaded guilty to charges late last month.

The four are accused of running an interstate dog fighting operation on Vick’s property in Virginia.

Vick has been banned by the NFL from participating in preseason practice with the Falcons. The league is conducting its own investigation. It denied a report Monday saying it was ready to suspend Vick for the entire 2007 season.

Rome dog-fighting home demolished after drugs found

Today, the city of Rome demolished an abandoned house that was a site for dog-fighting

The police broke up a live dog fight in the house a few months ago.

And a few months after that, they found drugs hidden in the walls along with two loaded guns. That’s what gave the city the ability to tear down the house.

Neighbor Dwight Chapman says he expected the drugs but not the dog fighting.

“From my understanding they tore it down because of drugs. There are drugs everywhere. You can’t stop it.”

In Rome alone, there are two other dog-fighting cases in court this week, and a third in September.

In two previous cases tried in July, both defendants were found guilty and given a $270 fine.

Some state lawmakers have said Georgia's dog fighting penalties are not strong enough, and have vowed to push tougher punishments during the next legislative session.