Football
Associated Press 16y

Dogs seized from Vick property to be spayed, neutered

RICHMOND, Va. -- Federal authorities on Monday filed a
motion asking that a Valparaiso law professor oversee the outcome
of dozens of dogs seized from Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Michael Vick's home.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Richmond also asked that each of
the 48 pit bulls be spayed, neutered and have microchips implanted,
according to the motion filed in U.S. District Court.

The motion, which now goes to U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson,
requests that animal law expert Rebecca J. Huss serve as the
guardian-special master to oversee the disposition and possible
placement of the dogs.

If appointed, Huss would travel to Virginia to evaluate the
animals and make recommendations on their placement or future, said
Tom Shaer, a spokesman for Valparaiso University School of Law in
Indiana. There is no deadline for the process.

The court then would be responsible for carrying out Huss'
recommendations.

Huss will not comment until her work is complete, Shaer said.
But, he said, "her goal is, and the court's goal is, to find the
best possible future for the dogs and the humans and other animals
with which those dogs would come in contact."

Earlier this month, a federal judge ordered that one of 49 pit
bulls seized be euthanized after the dog displayed too much
aggression to allow animal behavior experts to examine it. The
order said experts determined the other 48 dogs have placement
potential.

The motion filed Monday acknowledged that the government has
"not ruled out the possibility" that additional dogs may be
euthanized after further evaluations are completed, but said other
placement options are preferred.

"Nothing can be ruled out," Shaer said.

The animals were among more than 60 dogs seized by local
authorities during a raid of the property in April. They have been
held in animal shelters in the area since.

Vick and three co-defendants pleaded guilty to a federal
dogfighting charge and are to be sentenced before the end of the
year. They each face up to five years in prison.

All four still face state charges in Surry County, where the
dogfighting enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels operated since
2001 on 15 acres of land Vick owned.

Vick has been charged with two state felony counts -- beating or
killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or
promoting dogfighting. Each felony is punishable by up to five
years in prison.

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