Vick Decision to Plead Guilty a Blow Against Dogfighting

August 20, 2007

A crackdown urged on countless other cases coast to coast

Michael Vick's reported decision to plead guilty and "accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made" sends one shocking case of dogfighting toward a conclusion – and now The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) urges concerned Americans to turn their energy to the countless other organized animal fighting operations that beg for priority attention from the nation's police and prosecutors.

“This case has opened America’s eyes and jolted its conscience,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the HSUS.  "The resolution of this federal case is no cause for celebration—many dogs suffered terribly, and a gifted athlete and his bright career have been severely damaged, perhaps irreparably. The only good that can come from this case is that the American people dedicate themselves to the task of rooting out dogfighting in every area infected by it."

The HSUS praised the fortitude of U.S. Atty. Chuck Rosenberg, whose office pursued the case to its swift resolution. Likewise, the HSUS expressed its regards to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Atlanta Falcon's owner Arthur Blank for their resolve in dealing with a tremendously difficult personnel issue.

For decades, The Humane Society of the United States has combated the unconscionable cruelty of animal fighting, assisting law enforcement, championing tougher laws and seeking to heighten public awareness.

In the one month since the indictment of Vick and three associates, the HSUS has witnessed a significant uptick in police activity, with at least 32 dogfighting rings broken up in 15 states with 240 dogs seized. Vast numbers of other cases, however, cry out for attention – and to that end, The HSUS has doubled its rewards to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of dogfighters.

To watch a video interview with Wayne Pacelle click here.

 Timeline:

• Aug. 17, 2007:  Vick's co-defendants Purnell Peace and Quanis L. Phillips plead guilty to dogfighting charges, and detail Vick's direct involvement in the dogfighting operation.
• July 30, 2007: Tony Taylor, one of Vick's co-defendants, pleads guilty to dogfighting charges, and alleges that Vick funded most of Bad Newz Kennels.
• July 27, 2007: Nike, a Vick sponsor, declares that it has suspended Vick's endorsement contract without pay and also suspends sales of Vick  Nike  merchandise.
• July 27, 2007: Reebok, another Vick sponsor, also suspends the sale of NFL products related to Vick.
• July 26, 2007: Vick and his three co-defendants are arraigned and plead not guilty to all charges.
• July 24, 2007: Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank issues a statement at a press conference indicating that the team was set to suspend Vick.
• July 24, 2007: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell orders Vick to keep away from Atlanta Falcons training camp until the league further reviews the case.
• July 17, 2007: Vick and three others are indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to illegal dogfighting.
• July 6, 2007: Federal authorities conduct a second raid of Vick's property, searching for evidence of animal remains related to illegal dogfighting.
• July 2, 2007:  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) files court documents alleging  a dogfighting operation called Bad Newz Kennels was operated at Vick's  Surry County, Va. property for five years.
• June 7, 2007: Federal agents execute a search warrant on Vick's property.
• May 8, 2007: AirTran Airways drops its Vick sponsorship deal, becoming the first corporation to drop a sponsorship after the dogfighting investigation commenced.
• May 3, 2007: President Bush signs the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act into law, establishing felony penalties for interstate commerce, import and export related to animal fighting activities, including commerce in cockfighting weapons.
• April 25, 2007: During a drug raid at Michael Vick's Surry County, Va. home, police seized 66 dogs, 55 of them pit bulls, and equipment suggestive of a dogfighting operation.

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—on the web at www.humanesociety.org.