QB's Dog Fighting Indictment Catches Local DA Off Guard
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has been indicted on federal charges he participated in an illegal dog fighting business.
Vick and three others are accused of buying and training pit bulls for the fights, and killing the dogs when they didn’t measure up, CNN reports.
Authorities investigated after they found 54 pit bulls in April on property Vick owns in Smithfield, Va. Vick said at the time that he was unaware of any dog fighting.
Newsday printed this statement from the NFL: “The activities alleged are cruel, degrading and illegal. Michael Vick’s guilt has not yet been proven, and we believe that all concerned should allow the legal process to determine the facts. The matter will be reviewed under the league’s personal conduct policy.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the Surry County, Va., district attorney had no idea that the indictment was coming and is unsure how he will continue its separate investigation of Vick. According to AP, local authorities have been investigating Vick since at least April.
Read the indictment at The Smoking Gun.
