http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071130/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_vick_co_defendants

Two Vick co-defendants sentenced

By LARRY O'DELL, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 7 minutes ago

RICHMOND, Va. - Two of fallen NFL star Michael Vick's co-defendants were sentenced Friday to 18 months and 21 months in prison on federal dogfighting conspiracy charges.

Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach could have received up to five years in prison — the same maximum Vick faces when he is sentenced Dec. 10.

Peace, Phillips and Tony Taylor of Hampton pleaded guilty last summer and agreed to testify against Vick, prompting the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback to enter his own plea agreement a few days later. Taylor will be sentenced Dec. 14.

Peace was sentenced to 18 months and Phillips to 21 months.

"You may have thought this was sporting, but it was very callous and cruel," U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson told Phillips.

Sentencing guidelines called for punishments of 12 to 18 months for Peace and 18 to 24 months for Phillips, who has a more extensive criminal record.

Prosecutors recommended sentences at the low end of the range because of the co-defendants' cooperation. But Hudson said he felt sentences on the high end of the range were appropriate because of the nature of the crime.

Hudson told Peace that he was concerned because a pre-sentencing report quoted Peace as saying he saw he nothing wrong with dogfighting.

All four men also face state charges.

According to court papers, Vick financed virtually the entire "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting enterprise at his 15-acre property in Surry County in rural southeastern Virginia and participated in executing several underperforming dogs by drowning, hanging and other means.

Vick publicly apologized for his role in the dogfighting operation and turned himself in Nov. 19 to begin serving his prison term early. He is being held in a state jail in Warsaw, Va.

The case began in April when a drug investigation of a Vick relative led authorities to the Surry County property, where they found dozens of pit bulls and an assortment of dogfighting paraphernalia.

Vick trial date on state charges set

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071127/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_vick_indicted

 

SUSSEX, Va. - A judge on Tuesday scheduled an April 2 trial date for jailed Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick on two state felony dogfighting charges.

Vick's lawyer, Lawrence Woodward, requested a jury trial during the 5-minute session.

The suspended NFL star did not attend the hearing in Surry County Circuit Court. Vick is being held at a Warsaw, Va., jail after surrendering on Nov. 19 to begin serving time for a federal dogfighting conspiracy conviction.

Vick faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 10 in the federal case.

The two state charges — beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs, and engaging in or promoting dogfighting — also are punishable by up to five years in prison each.

The court also set trial dates of March 5 for co-defendants Quanis L. Phillips and Purnell A. Peace and a May 7 trial for Tony Taylor.

Vick's lawyers have indicated they will fight the state charges on the grounds he can't be convicted twice of the same crime.

Vick and three co-defendants pleaded guilty to the federal charge in U.S. District Court in Richmond. In an Aug. 27 plea agreement, Vick admitted bankrolling a dogfighting enterprise and providing gambling money, as well as helping to kill six to eight dogs.

Ten protesters from the animal-rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals stood outside the courthouse holding placards with pictures of injured dogs and the messages "Report Dogfighters!" and "Dogs Deserve Justice."

The dogfighting operation known as Bad Newz Kennels operated since 2001 on Vick's 15-acre spread in Surry County. A drug investigation of a Vick relative led authorities to the property, where they found more than 50 pit bulls and equipment commonly used in dogfighting.

Vick was suspended indefinitely by the NFL without pay, and he lost several lucrative endorsement deals. Also, an arbitrator has ruled Vick should repay the Falcons nearly $20 million in bonus money.

Local citizens start to discuss pit bulls (McPherson, KS, USA)

Local citizens start to discuss pit bulls

By JIM MISUNAS, Sentinel Editor
Published: Monday, November 26, 2007 4:35 PM CST
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Pit bulls were on the minds of several McPherson citizens, who voiced concern today about an ordinance that could prohibit the ownership or keeping of pitbulls and pitbull mixes within the city limits.

A proposed ordinance designed to eventually ban the ownership of pit bulls and other dangerous breeds of dogs within the city limits failed in 2005.

The standards, in the proposed ordinance, for keeping certain dog breeds or other potentially dangerous or vicious dogs include leash requirements, confinement, signs and special collars, insurance, identification photographs, reporting requirements, violations and penalties.

During the public input session at the McPherson City Commission meeting, Else Morris said such an ordinance would be a good idea.

"The question is what is more important -- people or dogs?" she asked. "People are more important. I would like pit bulls to be banned from McPherson."

However, four citizens spoke against an ordinance targeted for a specific breed. They raised the issues of mistaken breeds and irresponsible owners.

"It's the people who should be the targets -- not the dogs," said Aaron Dennett, who owns two registered pit bull terriers. "Punish the deed, not the breed."

Susan Dennett, Aaron's sister-in-law, said pit bulls were not born or trained to fight and are perfectly safe.

Dale Leach also owns a pit bull. He said pit bulls can often be confused as other breeds and just identifying a dog as a certain type can be difficult.

"Bites often happen when animals are chained and they are not socialized," he said.

Carmela Leach, Dale's husband, said overcoming commonly-believed stereotypes of pit bulls is difficult for people who are not familiar with the breed. She said pit bulls have gotten bad reputations because of their "scary" appearance. Limiting the number of dogs and spay/neuter programs can help.

"There are other ways to handle this situation," she said. "We all can do more research."

The commissioners said they will continue to accept public input through phone calls (245-2535) or letters. Commissioners said they will schedule a future study session to review the subject.

Adoptable Dogs!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

12 Vick doggies at Virginia Beach SPCA

 

http://network.bestfriends.org/newjersey/news/20487.html

12 Vick doggies at Virginia Beach SPCA

November 13, 2007 : 6:01 AM

More good news on the Michael Vick dogs……

Posted by George DeGiovanni, Best Friends Network

The Virginia Beach SPCA located at 3040 Holland Road, Virginia Beach, VA, currently has 12 of Michael Vick's dogs at their location.

The dogs were seized on April 26th after a search warrant was served by law enforcement on another matter. The dogs were found to have scars and other tell tale signs of dog fighting.

The Virginia Beach SPCA currently now has 9 Beagles, 2 Rotties, and a Cane Corso. These were turned over to VBSPCA by the HSUS DFO (Disaster Field Operations).

Some of the dogs do have medical issues but they are being treated by the SPCA and there is also behavior and aggression evaluations being done. It is believed that the dogs will be suitable for adoption.

How you can help:

The Virginia Beach SPCA always welcome visitors to their location, whether it is for adopting, volunteering or donating.

Now that they have a new group of residents, donations are more than welcome as is volunteering.

Photo credit: unknown

Safe, Humane Chicago

Chicago Communities Rise Up against Dog Fighting!

Community Activists, Animal Advocates, and Government Leaders Launch Safe, Humane Chicago Initiative

CHICAGO, IL – In one of the most extensive community-wide partnerships formed to address violence in the context of dog fighting, the Dog Advisory Work Group (D.A.W.G.), the Alliance for Community Peace, the Chicago Police Department, and other city agencies, organizations and community advocates gathered today to announce the Safe, Humane Chicago initiative – the most aggressive citywide campaign ever created to reduce the abhorrent practice of dog fighting and other associated violence that exist in many Chicago communities.

In Chicago, as elsewhere, dog fighters and animal abusers are some of the most violent offenders in the criminal justice system. Animal abusers are more likely to commit child abuse, domestic violence and other violent acts against humans. In most cases, children who are exposed to the ruthless violence of dog fighting and animal abuse at a very young age become desensitized to violence, resulting in children that are more likely to grow up and become violent themselves.

"Whether you like dogs or not, this issue is about violence in our communities – and we must put an end to the senseless torture of living creatures and the psychological scars that dog fighting leaves on the kids that witness this brutality," said Reverend Dr. Walter B. Johnson, Jr., Executive Director for the Alliance for Community Peace. "To protect our children, we are calling on the community to get involved to make our streets safer. We cannot just look the other way and let our children become recruits for the gang bangers to mold into violent criminals."

A study by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Boston's Northeastern University showed that those who attend dog fights and witness other forms of animal cruelty are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against people.

"In Chicago, data shows that 70% of dog-fighting and animal abuse offenders have also been arrested for violent felonies against people. Even more alarming is that 86% of those who have committed crimes against animals have been arrested for multiple violent offenses," said Cynthia Bathurst, Executive Director of D.A.W.G. "Through education, early intervention and community involvement, we believe that we can significantly reduce violence in general by focusing on violence associated with dog fighting. This will create a more humane generation in the years to come."

To achieve this goal, the Safe, Humane Chicago initiative builds alliances between local government, animal and community advocates, humane organizations and the faith-based community. These alliances will partner to conduct animal education programs for both adults and children; develop youth intervention programs to stop these violent crimes before they are committed; work with the criminal justice system; and create open communication lines for community members to report dog fighting and animal abuse crimes to trusted allies that will assist law enforcement in stopping the violence. The program will also teach adults and children the appropriate tools for safe interaction with dogs to avoid bites and attacks. Once established, this program could be used as a model for other cities across the country.

"Bottom line, the real victim of dog fighting is society, said Steve Dale, host of WGN radio's Pet Central and renowned author and activist on animal issues. "Through Safe, Humane Chicago, we can coordinate a movement that will save lives - both canine and human."

Dog Advisory Working Group (D.A.W.G.) is a coalition of individuals and organizations working together to improve conditions for people and companion animals and to help build safe, humane communities.

Help Georgia

Help Us help Georgia! She's a sweet 13 week old puppy with severe demodex mange. The first photo is when she was found and the second photo is how she's doing now. She's come a long way so far but is not out of the woods yet. Her face began to swell this week and it was off to the vet again. Her scrape turned up thousands of mites so not only does she need to continue the oral ivermectin but she requires dips as well along with changing & increasing her antibiotics and antihistamines. We need some help to keep up with her medical expenses!

Georgia will be available to a new home once her skin issues have cleared. We hope that we can find her a loving home that will be kind to her for the rest of her life. Georgia is a sweet chocolate puppy with a white chest. She's very soft in temperament and disposition. She is being crate trained, housebroken and socialized to other pets. She's in a foster home with a male Am Staff and three cats. We hope that she will be ready for a new home within a month or two.

Pit Bull Stands By Owner In Tanker Crash

Pit Bull Stands By Owner In Tanker Crash
Loyalty Proven By Man's Best Friend
POSTED: 2:28 am EDT November 3, 2007

EAST LYME, Conn. -- One canine certainly fulfilled the role of man's best
friend on Friday.

Witnesses described seeing a tanker truck barrel through the median into
oncoming traffic, killing three people and injuring three others on
Interstate 95 in East Lyme late Friday morning. The tanker struck a
tractor-trailer and at least four cars and overturned.


As chaos broke out on I-95, a heroic pit bull remained calm, sitting in the
front seat of a tractor-trailer hit by a tanker truck. As the truck
crumbled, the dog stood tall, staying beside his owner until help arrived.
"I was calling to him, but he was just standing there and just guarding his
person," said Phyllis Martino, a witness at the scene.

The heroic dog stayed right by his owner's side, but arriving firefighters
quickly rushed that badly injured driver to the hospital.

That's when another hero was standing by to step in. Vincent Gagliardi said
the pit bull was frantic as his owner was carried away. So, Gagliardi took
off his belt, ran to the dog, fashioned a leash and got the dog out of
there.

"This guy was still sitting in the passenger seat, and there was diesel
fuel all around, so I took him out of there," Gagliardi said.

Authorities did not release on Friday any identities of those involved in
the crash.

http://www.wfsb.com/news/14502758/detail.html

Neutering myths say more about people than Neutering itself

http://www.thedogsbone.com/articles/28/1/Male-Dog-Neutering-Myths---Say-More-About-People-Than-Neutering/Why-Male-Dog-Neutering-Myths-Say-More-About-People-Than-Neutering.html