http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/dogfighting/ en-us Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:12:45 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2233530/posts The U.S. Supreme Court today announced it will review the case of a Virginia man whose federal conviction in Pittsburgh for selling dog-fighting videos was overturned by an appeals court. Robert J. Stevens of Pittsville, Va., in 2005 became the first defendant ever convicted of a 1999 law prohibiting the sale of materials depicting animal cruelty. Some of the videos showed pit bulls fighting one another as well as attacking hogs. Tribune Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2233530/posts#comment Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:12:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2233765/posts The Supreme Court agreed today to take up an unusual free-speech case to decide whether the government can make it a crime to sell or own videos portraying dog fighting or other acts of animal cruelty. All 50 states have laws against animal cruelty, and a decade ago, Congress made it illegal to sell or possess photos or videos of animals being maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded or killed. The aim was to combat an underground trade in videos that showed dogs fighting or mauling other animals. The law included exceptions for depictions with serious religious, scientific or artistic value. Last... LAT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2233765/posts#comment Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:35:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2167893/posts "While she was an officer with the Omaha Police Department, Abbie Cornett would occasionally run across the remnants of a dogfighting operation and the various items used to run it." Nebraska StatePaper.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2167893/posts#comment Tue, 20 Jan 2009 07:15:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2138263/posts Former NFL star quarterback Michael Vick has pleaded guilty to a state dogfighting charge in Virginia in a bid to make him eligible for early release from jail. Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2138263/posts#comment Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:22:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042520/posts When football superstar Michael Vick pleaded guilty last year to conspiring to run a dogfighting operation, we knew he had kept about 50 pit bulls on his 15-acre property in rural Surry County. We knew the dogs were chained to car axles near wooden hovels for shelter. And we knew the dogs that didn't fight were beaten, shot, hanged, electrocuted or drowned. But we didn't know their names. Headlines described the nameless dogs as "menacing." Some animal rights groups called for the "ticking time bombs" to be euthanized as soon as Vick's case was closed and they were no longer... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2042520/posts#comment Tue, 8 Jul 2008 19:40:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1971849/posts KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - A suicide bombing at an outdoor dog fighting competition killed 80 people and wounded scores more Sunday, a governor said, in what appeared to be the deadliest terror attack in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Officials said the attack apparently targeted a prominent militia commander who had stood up against the Taliban. He died in the attack. Several hundred people — including Afghan militia leaders — had gathered to watch the event on the western edge of the southern city of Kandahar. Witnesses reported gunfire from bodyguards after the blast; it was not... AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1971849/posts#comment Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:01:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1960467/posts (Jan. 27) - His back resting comfortably against her chest, Hector nestles his massive canine head into Leslie Nuccio's shoulder, high-fiving pit bull paws against human hands. The big dog - 52 pounds - is social, people-focused, happy now, it seems, wearing a rhinestone collar in his new home in sunny California. But as Hector sits up, deep scars stand out on his chest, and his eyes are imploring. "I wish he could let us know what happened to him," says Nuccio, the big tan dog's foster mother. Hector ought to be dead, she knows - killed in one of... AOl News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1960467/posts#comment Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:30:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1941882/posts NORFOLK, Va. - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has created a holiday e-card featuring former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who is serving a 23-month federal sentence for a dogfighting conspiracy. Vick and three co-defendants raised pit bulls and trained them for fighting at a house Vick owned in rural Surry County. Several dogs that didn’t perform well in test fights were executed. In the card, a cartoon version of Vick paces across a prison yard inside a snow globe as gun-toting guards and their barking dogs keep watch. He’s wearing an orange prison jumpsuit and football helmet... MSNBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1941882/posts#comment Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:20:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1941179/posts Five Atlanta Falcons players have been fined a total of $47,500 by the NFL for uniform violations that stemmed from demonstrations of their support for banished quarterback Michael Vick during the team's loss to the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 10. Several hours before the game, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison for his role in an illegal dogfighting ring that was centered on property he owned in Virginia. Cornerbacks DeAngelo Hall and Chris Houston, wide receiver Roddy White and tight end Alge Crumpler each were fined $10,000. Wide receiver Joe Horn was fined $7,500. It is not... ESPN's Web Site http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1941179/posts#comment Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:26:42 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1937435/posts RICHMOND, Va. — Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy that involved gambling and killing pit bulls. The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback could have been sentenced up to five years by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Vick, who turned himself in Nov. 19 in anticipation of his sentence, was wearing a black-and-white striped prison suit. After Vick apologized to the court and his family, Hudson told him: "You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you." "Yes, sir," Vick answered. Vick acknowledged he... Click here for FOXNEWS link http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1937435/posts#comment Mon, 10 Dec 2007 17:43:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1937371/posts Vick given a 23 month sentence. Plus 3 years of probation. Breaking. TV http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1937371/posts#comment Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:46:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901924/posts SUSSEX, Va. (AP) - Michael Vick and three co-defendants were indicted by a grand jury Tuesday on state charges related to a dogfighting ring operated on Vick's Virginia property. Vick, who already pleaded guilty in federal court to a dogfighting conspiracy charge and is awaiting sentencing on Dec. 10, was indicted for beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. The grand jury passed on indicting the Atlanta Falcons quarterback and two co-defendants on eight counts of animal cruelty, which would have exposed them to as many as 40 years in prison... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901924/posts#comment Tue, 25 Sep 2007 17:52:49 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901466/posts Federal investigators are looking into connections between trained fighting dogs bred by a man found shot to death in rural North Carolina and the dogfighting operation headed by suspended NFL quarterback Michael Vick. The sheriff investigating the North Carolina killing said he plans to pursue links between the dogfighting groups to see if they can answer any questions in the unsolved homicide. But for now, federal investigators are the ones searching the shooting victim's records for more evidence that might implicate Vick and other members of Bad Newz Kennels in interstate dogfighting, the sheriff said. (snip) "Everybody we've talked to... Newport News Daily Press (dailypress.com) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901466/posts#comment Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:20:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1897445/posts After long search, football star finds Jesus “hangin’ out” in courthouse restroom Michael Vick trades up! RICHMOND, VA – They say all dogs go to heaven. Well, after punching more than his share of canine tickets to paradise, Michael Vick seems to have finally found a little salvation for himself. After pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges last month, the world heard Michael Vick proclaim his newfound faith in Christ. “I found Jesus,” Vick told reporters outside the courthouse. “And turned my life over to God.” What most people don’t know is that Vick had actually been looking for Jesus... The Holy Observer http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1897445/posts#comment Sun, 16 Sep 2007 17:58:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1893814/posts Michael Cook | Friday, 31 August 2007 The crimes of Michael Vick When dogs die in Virginia, there's a media frenzy. When patients die in New Orleans, there's silence. NFL quarterback Michael Vick faces 12 to 18 months in jail and the ruin of his brilliant career with the Atlanta Falcons -- for killing six or eight pit bulls and running a dogfighting operation in Virginia. "Barbaric". "Reprehensible". "Odious". The media was outraged. Even a remorseful Michael Vick sniffled that it was "a terrible thing". The leading animal rights groups, the Humane Society and People for the Ethical Treatment... mercatornet.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1893814/posts#comment Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:27:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1892682/posts As someone who once lived in the heart of Newport News, Va., and, in fact, in Michael Vick's school district, I was amused to hear Whoopi Goldberg's assessment that dogfighting is endemic to the Deep South and the sophisticates of our urban jungles do not understand. Vick's supporters sometimes appear to want it both ways. One day he is from the mean streets of Newport News and the next day he is from the Deep South. I happened to live on one of those mean streets of Newport News, and not once did I ever have to dodge bullets after... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1892682/posts#comment Fri, 7 Sep 2007 18:01:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1891503/posts Dear Ms. Whoopi Goldberg, don't tell me that torturing animals (dog-fighting) -- "hanging, drowning, and slamming at least one dog's body to the ground" -- is an integral part of Southerners' "cultural upbringing." I've lived in the Deep South for about 5 years, visited family there many times, and vacationed there more times than I can remember. My experiences? Good, decent people, and beautiful cities, countryside, and beaches. So how did this dog-fighting controversy get started? Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was busted red-handed running a chamber of horrors for canines. Not only was he fighting dogs, but torturing them... netwmd.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1891503/posts#comment Wed, 5 Sep 2007 16:08:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890960/posts NEW YORK -- Whoopi Goldberg started her stint on ABC's "The View" Tuesday by coming to the defense of convicted felon Michael Vick. Just 15 minutes into the show she brought up Vick's conviction on dogfighting charges. "You know from his background this is not an unusual thing for where he comes from," said Goldberg. "There are certain things that are indicative to certain parts of our country." Co-host Joy Behar seemed shocked at Goldberg's statements. "How about dog torture and dog murdering," Behar asked. wsbtv.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890960/posts#comment Tue, 4 Sep 2007 16:37:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890026/posts Taxpayers spared hit from Michael Vick's dogfighting misdeeds BY CHRISTIAN REDDAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITERSaturday, September 1st 2007, 7:41 PM John Goodwin, the deputy manager for animal cruelty issues for The Humane Society of the United States, says that another negative fallout from dogfighting cases is that "the taxpayer gets hit" with the costs of housing and caring for the animals."That's one more cost of the (Michael) Vick case and these cases," says Goodwin. "These animal-control centers are municipal buildings funded by the government, so the taxpayer gets hit as a result."In the case of Vick, the disgraced Atlanta Falcons... The New York Daily News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1890026/posts#comment Sun, 2 Sep 2007 01:24:48 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1889546/posts USC running backs coach Todd McNair, a former NFL player who is in his fourth season with the Trojans, was twice convicted on charges related to mistreatment of dogs in the 1990s, according to reports. "I really don't want to comment on something 14 years ago, and especially something I was cleared for," McNair said Tuesday night. McNair was never convicted of dogfighting. Coach Pete Carroll said he became aware of the incidents about a week ago and addressed them with McNair. The incidents came to light again on the website BruinsNation.com. "We looked into it to make sure we... Los Angeles Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1889546/posts#comment Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:59:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1889542/posts USC assistant football coach Todd McNair said Wednesday that reports detailing his two 1990s convictions for mistreating dogs did not "accurately portray" what actually happened. "I understand the interest about the thing in light of all that's gone on in Virginia with the [Michael] Vick case and everything," he said in an interview outside USC's Heritage Hall. "But my case was totally different from that. . . . I was cited for neglect. I wasn't convicted for abuse." McNair, who is about to begin his fourth season as the Trojans' running backs coach, was charged with cruelty to animals, failure... Los Angeles Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1889542/posts#comment Fri, 31 Aug 2007 19:52:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888385/posts A Boston judge sentences a man to probation and home confinement after his admission that he abducted and sexually assaulted a 12-year-old boy. A Nebraska judge sentences a convicted sex offender to probation and electronic monitoring because she fears for the mentally impaired man"s safety in prison. A Vermont judge sentences a child molester to 60 days in jail in order to facilitate his prompt treatment. Justice is hardly blind, if only because it is meted out by the colossal imperfection known as the human. And judges are as human as the person who comes to your home to fix... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1888385/posts#comment Wed, 29 Aug 2007 18:05:52 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887088/posts Michael Vick was always something of an Allen Iverson for Atlanta. Without him, the team is terrible, and with him, the team can never be great. He’s a wonderful athlete who dominates little more than the highlight reel. Truth be told, I seriously doubt the Falcons would have ever succeeded with Vick at the helm. As far as I’m concerned, the dog-fighting scandal was one of the best things that could have happened to the Falcons. They had to get rid of him somehow, even if they didn’t want to accept it. Michael Vick had a special appeal with the... North Star Writers Group http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1887088/posts#comment Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:06:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886614/posts Dog fighting case unmasks fixers' of US sport By Tim Shipman in Washington, Sunday Telegraph Last Updated: 1:42am BST 26/08/2007 When American football star Michael Vick enters a guilty plea in a Virginia courtroom tomorrow on dog fighting charges, he will not be the only one facing judgment. Michael Vick arrives at court in Virginia last month The disgrace of one of the sport's most exciting young players - who plays for the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL) - has drawn attention to what critics say is a culture of criminality and cover-up in US professional sport.... The Telegraph (UK) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886614/posts#comment Sun, 26 Aug 2007 02:52:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886447/posts In a June 2000 photo shoot for a story in SI's College Preview issue, Vick was photographed with his pit bull Champagne. Read enough legal documents -- indictments, subpoenas, lawsuits -- and you begin to think of some lawyers as artists. They can write a sentence that appears simple, its point obvious, but if you read it again and again the meaning changes. It becomes more like poetry than legalese, everything subject to your own interpretation. The statement of fact filed Friday in a federal courthouse in Richmond, Va., as part of the plea agreement for Falcons quarterback Michael Vick,... SI.Com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1886447/posts#comment Sat, 25 Aug 2007 16:29:44 GMT