Andrea Rosebrock 
It’s been a long time in coming and I have followed this from the very beginning and today the inevitable; Michael Vick was indicted by a grand jury in connection with the dogfighting investigation at the property he owned in Virginia.
The Falcons quarterback was indicted for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District in Richmond, Va. Three others — Purnell Peace, Quanis Phillips and Tony Taylor — also were indicted by the grand jury on the same charges.
According to court documents filed by federal authorities earlier this month, dog fights have been sponsored by “Bad Newz Kennels” at the property since at least 2002. For the events, participants and dogs traveled from South Carolina, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, Texas and other states.
Members of the venture also knowingly transported, delivered and received dogs for animal fighting, the documents state.
During a June search of the property, investigators uncovered the graves of seven pit bulls that were killed by members of “Bad Newz Kennels” following sessions to test whether dogs would be good fighters, the documents said.
Members of “Bad Newz Kennels” also sponsored and exhibited fights in other parts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey and other states, the filings said. (Read the full story here)
If convicted, Vick and the others—Purnell A. Peace, Quanis L. Phillips and Tony Taylor—could face up to six years in prison, $350,000 in fines and restitution.
Telephone messages left at the offices and home of Vick’s attorney, Larry Woodward, were not immediately returned. A woman who answered the phone at the home of Vick’s mother said the family knew nothing about the charges.
“We are disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in a position where a federal grand jury has returned an indictment against him,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said.
“The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick’s guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts.”
The four men were accused of “knowingly sponsoring and exhibiting an animal fighting venture” and conducting a business enterprise involving gambling, as well as buying, transporting and receiving dogs for the purposes of an animal fighting venture.
Purses for the fights ranged from hundreds of dollars to the thousands, and participants and spectators placed side bets, the document said.
About eight young dogs were put to death after they were found not ready to fight in April 2007. They were killed “by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog’s body to the ground,” according to the indictment. (San Jose Mercury News)
To read the entire 19 page indictment, download it HERE
For more background and information, please see – Michael Vick and Dogfighting
Take Michael Vick out of the game! Sign the PETITION!
Perhaps Kraft, Nike, Coca Cola, Hasbro et al will find it BAD NEWZ when the people who use their products stop doing so as long as they are associated with Vick. I personally don’t wish to play with a toy, drink a coca cola or wear shoes that remind me of some scum bag beating an innocent dog against the ground…even a bullet cost too much for these dirt bags. No sympathy!
[...] on the Michael Vick dogfighting case. Yesterday, as most everyone probably knows, Michael Vick was indicted on charges stemming from the investigation beginning in April. He’s scheduled to appear [...]
[...] pressure against the Falcons and the NFL has been unrelenting since before Vick’s indictment. With the initiation of the investigation into the dog fighting allegation in April, animal rights [...]
put this animal in a cage where he belongs with the other animals…i hope someone pounds your f**kin head in, in prison like they did to jeffrey damer
[...] has become the fourth endorser to cut ties with Michael Vick over the dogfighting allegations leveled against [...]
nice to see how the rich and famous get away with everything. Great Government. Glad I am
moving back to italy.