Good News for 48 of the 49 Vick Pit Bulls

This article is just in from DAVE FORSTER of The Virginian-Pilot (October 2, 2007 ). See also the ASPCA's web site posting (click here).

All but one of the 49 dogs still in custody after the prosecution of Michael Vick on a dogfighting charge have the potential for placement, the office of U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg announced Monday.



A team of certified animal behavior experts evaluated the dogs and deemed only one an immediate candidate for euthanasia, according to a document filed in U.S. District Court in Richmond . That dog has a history of biting people and showed intense aggression to humans to the point where the evaluation could not safely be completed, the document said.




At the prosecutors' request, District Judge Henry E. Hudson ordered that the aggressive dog be euthanized.



The 48 remaining dogs appear to have some potential for possible placement with specific conditions, according to Rosenberg's motion. The prosecutors plan to ask Hudson to appoint a guardian to oversee the disposition and placement of the rest of the dogs.


Some of the dogs might be used to fight crime one day. A future in law enforcement was among the four categories of placement considered for each dog, according to the motion, made by Rosenberg's office.


John Goodwin , deputy manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States, said he was surprised to learn that some of the dogs may eventually be considered for adoption. He had said early in the investigation that dogs in such situations are almost always euthanized .



Vick, an NFL quarterback whose last contract with the Atlanta Falcons was worth $130 million, could be held liable for any costs incurred by the federal government over the dogs. His plea agreement to a federal conspiracy charge requires him to reimburse the United States for expenses related to the dogs.



The team of evaluators, selected by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, identified four categories into which the surviving dogs may be placed.



Dogs that showed no aggression to people or dogs could be placed in an experienced foster care home for observation and rehabilitation, possibly for six months to a year, according to the motion. Those animals might eventually be placed in appropriately screened homes, the document said.



The more energetic and motivated dogs could be trained for law enforcement duty, the document said. The other two options include sanctuaries, for dogs that show fear or high arousal toward people.


The document does not say how many of the dogs were placed in each category .



The animals were among those seized in April from Vick's property on Moonlight Road in Surry County . The dogs have been in local shelters since their removal. Two died in custody, and one was returned to an undisclosed owner, according to a memo filed in court .
Vick and three co-defendants pleaded guilty to conspiring to run an interstate dogfighting venture from 2001 to 2007 . Their sentencing dates are set for November and December.


Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com

Blogger's note: This does raise some very serious issues about the adequacy of testing and policies in our many well-intentioned Humane Societies across the country, many of which are simply carrying out the instructions of the jurisdiction for whom they work. In DC for instance, the policy is to adopt out all dogs tested successfully for adoptability. That's the policy they publish. But the unpublished policy is to not test any Pit Bulls, which means none get adopted out and all are euthanized within days of their arrival. This is outrageous. Of course, the policy is set by those who are concerned about public safety and not animal welfare, so it is not surprising. It just means that those of us who are concerned about animal welfare have a lot on our hands to change.

Thanks to NY'ers

Thanks to the NY'ers who posted these all over the city. Every little bit helped.