Vick surrenders early in dog fighting case

Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has begun serving his sentence in a Virginia prison on federal dog fighting charges. Vick was scheduled to be sentenced on December 10th. However, an assistant to U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson of Richmond Virginia confirms Vick voluntarily surrendered himself to officials with the U.S. Marshal’s Service. Hudson signed the order allowing Vick to turn himself in earlier today. Four people have pleaded guilty in the case. Earlier this year, Vick acknowledged he was part of a dogfighting operation known as Bad Newz Kennels at his former property in Surry County, Va. In a plea agreement, Vick admitted the operation involved the "victimization and killing of pit bull dogs." Under federal sentencing guidelines, Michael Vick faces up to five months in prison, although Judge Hudson could impose a sentence below or above that range if he sees fit.

Falcon player cleared of animal cruelty

Gwinnett County's district attorney has dropped a felony animal cruelty charge against Atlanta Falcons player Jonathan Babineaux. DA Danny Porter said his office did an exhaustive investigation, ending with the decision to dismiss the charge.

The probe began in February after police charged Babineaux with killing his girlfriend's pit bull mix. Investigators later verified the dog had a history of unprovoked attacks, and that a trainer had told Babineaux to spin the dog on a leash when it was aggresive.

The Falcons' organization stood by Babineaux in the midst of its quarterback, Michael Vick, facing dog fighting allegations. Vick eventually pleaded guilty to charges in a separate case against him.

Most Vick dogs safe for new homes

A court motion filed Monday says that all but one of the 49 pit bulls seized from a Virginia home owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick can be placed with new owners. One of the dogs has a history of biting people and should be euthanized. The dogs were put through 11 exercises to evaluate their behavior toward humans and other animals. Vick and three co-defendants pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges and are to be sentenced before the end of the year.