Michael Vick's dogs are flying to Utah
Twenty-two of the pit bulls seized from suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick's dogfighting operation left Virginia today for a new home at Best Friends Animal Society in Utah, the Associated Press reported.
The animals – among 47 surviving dogs -- took off from Richmond International Airport this morning on board a private chartered plane to the no-kill sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.
The dogs are being sent to eight rescue organizations across the country, including Recycled Love in Baltimore. The organizations were recommended by the dogs' court-appointed guardian, animal law expert Rebecca Huss, and approved by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson last month.
While some of Vick's dogs will remain at the sanctuaries permanently, others will be trained for possible adoption.
Forty-eight pit bulls were seized from the Surry County, Va., property, but one was euthanized for medical reasons.
Vick is serving a 23-month sentence for a dogfighting conspiracy.
Best Friends, which we visited last week – and which will the subject of several upcoming blog entries – set aside an entire octagonal housing unit for the Vick dogs.
"The one thing about these dogs that's different is they can't be put in group living situations like most of our dogs," John Polis, spokesman for the sanctuary told WWBT-TV in Richmond. "So we've been spending the last few weeks clearing out some new areas where these dogs can have individual runs. They have indoor-outdoor access. They're going to have a really nice home."
Comments
I would like to think that Mr. Vick would be assuming the expenses for re-homing these poor dogs.
Posted by: Mamie Watts | January 2, 2008 7:23 PM
He is, to the tune of $900,000, of which $610,000 will go to the organizations now caring for the pit bulls (the rest went to the US Govt for expenses thus far). Dogs that are expected to someday be adoptable will come with $5000 each to their caregivers from Mr. Vick thru the Govt, dogs that will need lifetime care will come with $20,000.
Posted by: John | January 3, 2008 12:51 AM
From the Richmond Va., Tiimes- Dispatch:
Court documents show that Vick was ordered to pay $928,073 for the past, present and long-term care of the dogs. Some $388,775 was earmarked for Best Friends for taking 21 dogs for sanctuary care and one for foster care.
Posted by: JT | January 3, 2008 7:25 AM
Vick has already paid the expenses. I think for these dogs he is paying 22,000 per dog
Posted by: Anonymous | January 3, 2008 12:52 PM
Seems like the justice system might be working fairly well in the Vick case.
I keep hoping that Michael Vick will have some exposure to a canine training program while he is in prison. (Obviously he won't pass the psychological testing to be a canine trainer himself.) It'd be good for Mr. Vick to see what dogs are capable of being, to see how humans learn from training dogs, to see how much dogs can do for the people they assist. The dogs Vick tortured cannot be brought back, but perhaps Vick could be capable of some redemption for himself.
Posted by: Mary Schmidt | January 3, 2008 7:33 PM
I think this is great that these people are helping these pitbulls. I don't think 23 months for vicks sentence is fair at all .....but i am happy to see that he is paying for these dogs to get the help and medical attention they need. I think he should have gotton at least a year for each dog he tortured or killed but what can we do. Pit bulls are great dogs i rescued one last year and he is the light of my life i just wish more people would understand how loyal and great these dogs really are. I am just so thankful that all these dogs are being taken care of and to everyone that is a part of this, you all are so great :) me and bruno(mypitbull) will be thinking of all of you and those dogs.
Posted by: Sara | January 3, 2008 9:31 PM
I wish the best for those dogs and a huge thank you to the employees and volunteers at Best Friends Animal Society in Utah and all the other facilities participating in assisting pets. Thank you for the time and energy spent in assisting pets everyday. The sentence is far to short for the pain and suffering endured by the dogs over the years. Unfortunately, the sport of dog fighting is still a part of society and even though Vick is in jail, the awareness needs to continue in exposing the true magnitude of this situation. Our dog chew toy is attempting to do just that and hope that one day, we can bring a value to assisting these pets. We hope all of the dogs are finding happiness in their new home. Brought to you by Aim To Beginn, LLC
Posted by: The Official Dog | January 15, 2008 12:48 AM