ANIMAL PEOPLE is the leading independent newspaper providing original investigative coverage of animal protection worldwide. Founded in 1992, ANIMAL PEOPLE has no alignment or affiliation with any other entity. |
This site built and maintained by: GREANVILLE ASSOCIATESand CRESCENT COMMUNICATIONS •Rev. 12.1.05 Copyright ANIMAL PEOPLE, INC. 1992--2006
 |
 |
ESSENTIAL DESTINATIONS
|
MONTH: November/December 2007
Atlanta Falcons & pit bull terriers
SUSSEX, Virginia -- Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was on November 27, 2007 scheduled for a jury trial on April 2, 2008 in Surry County Circuit Court for two counts of felony dogfighting.
The dogfighting charges, brought by the State of Virginia, are separate from the federal conspiracy charge to which Vick pleaded guilty on August 27, 2007.
Facing up to five years in prison for the federal conviction, Vick voluntarily began serving time on November 19, in advance of his scheduled December 10 sentencing.
Co-defendants Quanis L. Philips and Purnell A. Peace are to be tried on the state charges on March 5. Co-defendant Tony Taylor is to be tried on the state charges on May 7. All three pleaded guilty to the same federal offense as Vick.
Forty-eight dogs seized from Vick's property in April 2007, most of them pit bull terriers, are now being offered for adoption by organizations in Virginia, New York and California.
An unrelated felony cruelty charge filed against Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux in February 2007 for killing a pit bull terrier by swinging the dog on a leash was dropped on November 7, 2007. The dog, named Kilo, belonged to Babineaux's girlfriend Blair Anderson. Babineaux testified that he was protecting himself and his five-month-old child from dangerous behavior by the pit bull, who according to Gwinnett County (Georgia) district attorney Danny Porter had a history of unprovoked attacks. Babineaux and Ander-son had quarreled earlier, and Anderson was out of the house when the incident occurred.