Witness: Vick Forced Family Pets To Battle Killer Pit Bulls For Laughs

RICHMOND, Va. — Michael Vick put family pets in rings with pit bulls and thought it was funny watching the trained killers injure or kill the helpless dogs, a witness told federal investigators during the dogfighting investigation that brought Vick down.

In a 17-page report filed Aug. 28, 2008, by case agent James Knorr of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and released Friday under the Freedom of Information Act, a person identified as confidential witness No. 1 said Vick placed pets in the ring against pit bulls owned by "Bad Newz Kennels" at least twice and watched as the pit bulls "caused major injuries."

The witness said Vick and co-defendants Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips "thought it was funny to watch the pit bull dogs belonging to Bad Newz Kennels injure or kill the other dogs."

Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison in Dec. 2007, and is due to be released from the federal prison at Leavenworth, Kan., on July 20, 2009. He returned to Virginia on Thursday and is being held in Hopewell pending his appearance in Surry County Circuit Court on Tuesday, where he is expected to plead guilty to two felony charges but receive a suspended sentence.

The report, which has some names and other information redacted to protect some of the parties involved, also details the killing of several dogs at property Vick owned on Moonlight Road in Surry County in mid-April 2007, just days before the first search warrant was executed on the property, turning a drug investigation into the one that sent Vick to prison.

It says Vick was administered a polygraph test by the FBI in October 2007 and denied taking part in the killing of dogs in mid-April. When told he had failed that part of the test, Vick recanted his story and admitted to helping hang six to eight underperforming dogs.

The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, once the highest paid player in the NFL, has been suspended indefinitely by the league and his football future is uncertain. He's also in the midst of bankruptcy proceedings with $16 million in assets and $20.4 million in liabilities.

Peace, who also was convicted in the case, said there were times he suggested that dogs unwilling to fight be given away, but that Vick said "they got to go," meaning be killed.

The dogs were killed by shooting, hanging, electrocution and drowning, and in at least one instance, according to one of the witnesses, when Vick and Phillips killed a red pit bull by "slamming it to the ground several times before it died, breaking the dog's back or neck."

When he finally admitted to his role in the dogfighting operation, Vick also said he purchased his first pull bull, named "Champagne," while a student at Virginia Tech in 1999. The dog was never used in fights, but was bred with other dogs, according to the report.

Champagne was among the 53 pit bulls seized from the home in a raid in April 2007.

Comments

[Dupree]

As much as I am against violence for the sake of violence, (for we EAT animals every single day and the only way we could accomplish this is by killing them first and preparing them for a meal, just because we don't see it happening..does not negate the fact it is happening), however, I think we need to address these kind of concerns in a different manner. We can not extend the value of an animal above the value of human beings. We can not throw everyone in jail and warehouse people when there are other intelligent measures that can be taken like educating people, bringing a level of sensitivity to each person on the seriousness of such actions and making that individual serve some form of community service. We seem to have no problem with warehousing people...we are known as the land of the free but we have more people in prison than anyone else in the entire world. Something is wrong with this picture. I do not defend or support what he has done...but there has to be another form of "punishment" that incorporates a healthier understanding of why it was wrong. We just can't be a people who seek revenge at every corner and at every level ....for in the end we all will lose.

[MagisterLudi]

I am SURE you extended your broadminded magnanimity during the Duke lacrosse player trial, right? Right?

[ApolloniaCreed]

Hasn't this trial been over for a good long while? Leave the effin MAN alone.

[Zoidie]

Leave him alone? Like he left those animals alone? I hope he's put away for good.

[shengirl]

the federal charges were tried; he is now up on state charges.

[RobertAndropolis]

Why are you capitalizing man?

[MagisterLudi]

Like the brotha ain't guilty, He's IWB-- innocent while black..

[yoli647]

I hope they keep his butt in prison, for good!!!

[FreedomTruth]

Man murder innocent animals for meat,hyde and trophys.So whats the big deal about what Mike Vick did..Pit Bulls are dangerous dogs and i HATE them...FREE MIKE VICK!

[tinamou]

If you do not believe that there is anything wrong with what Michael Vick did to those dogs, then there is something seriously wrong with you.
And no, pit bulls are not dangerous dogs, they are only dangerous when they are made to be that way. Go educate yourself.

[GetoffMylawn]

9 out of 10 Psychopaths agree, what's the big deal with watching innocent creatures suffer a horrifying painful death?
Don't you just hate living things... and yourself?

[commonsense2]

Because they are living creatures with nervous systems who feel pain and feel love and care for their young and have every right to live without being tormented and tortured. And it is sick trait. People who get a thrill out of seeing animals in pain generally love seeing people in pain.

I am guessing you are black and that is why you feel he should be freed.

You should be calling his butt out. Just because someone else is the same color as you does not mean you should alway automatically stick up for them.

How would you feel like it if you were forced to fight someone else to the death?

Oh never mind -you would probably love it.

[Zoidie]

Well said.

[Lolade]

You "civilised" people treat your children worse than you treat your pets. Quit the hypocrisy, you fight for your right to bear arms to kill your fellow humans and yet you gasp when a dog is killed.
If you are jailing people for cruelty, then pretty much half the white race would and should be in jail.
Asians eat dogs, would you be interested in locking them away for good too?
If its a black issue, what about slavery, when blacks were thought to be worse than animals and were sold or beaten to death.
Revisit your history and be less hypocritical. He has done his time - leave him alone.
And yes, I am black and I have dogs.

[Zoidie]

If you can't see the difference between hunting and Michale's Vick's sick, violent behavior... you should be put yourself away too. Why don't you volunteer........j..e...r....k...

[KRAZYHORZE]

What descent person would defend Vick's actions. say hello to a psyco in the making

[Smith808]

You lose your endorsements when young kids stop seeing you as a "hero." Adultery, debauchery, and children out-of-wedlock aside, I can't think of any kind of behavior that would affect kids more than this one, especially those with family pets. Although I'm sure he would (now) be the last to admit he never wanted to be a role model, he was always aware that the value of his endorsements were relative to the value of his "image."

[gaebolgaes]

the "bitter folk" ...those denizens of the "dry september" parts of america...knew sarah palin shot wolves..truly worthy and useful animals worth saving..from aircraft ...and they still voted and cheered for her.why don't vicks detracters admit that it was his money...his talent ( the smoothest delivery of any quarterback that ever played the game} and fame and all those beautiful hollywood blondes that got them all riled up?

[preatorius]

Maybe he should have played for the bush team. They had an opening at gitmo1

[twiggy2writes]

micheal vick is spending time in jail for gambling - betting on dog fights. he has lost his reputation, his creditability for endorsements, and millions of dollars, friends and family. dog fighting is no more barbaric than any other sport that pits animals or people against each other for entertainment, and profit. for this man to lose his career behind this, is the real crime - he should have been slapped with a hefty fine, and made to attend animal abuse awareness meetings give mandatory community service speeches against abuse and made the" national spokesperson" for why animals, {dogs} should not be used as a source of entertainment. he could have done a far greater service for the cause than just have his head roll. but of course animal right activist are not looking to impact their cause, by having offenders redeem themselves publicly . it is much more entertaining to deem a person a "unfit monster" rather than educate them on the error they have committed -there are a lot of "monsters" out there and if they are not used for a good cause, will continue in ignorance harming people and animals.
ignorance is the culprit -
want to put a face to animal abuse - how about a face too "made a mistake, won't do it again. and by the way let me tell you animal abuse ain't right ! " ---- this message paid for by micheal vick against cruelty to animals , and -----
i have

[ApolloniaCreed]

exactly....

[cvarner]

Name someone else who has been so rightfully punished for dog fighting. Let's not forget that before Vick's first trial Clinton Portis and other high-profile athletes made comments on TV along the lines of "they were his dogs, he can do whatever he wants to do with them". I doubt that they will say anything so stupid again -- and, perhaps, learn that being rich and famous isn't a shield.

Vick got what he deserved. Personally, I hope he never plays football again -- oh, and hey, have you noticed that the Falcons absolutely sucked while he was playing but are having a fantastic season without him? The NFL bans players for smoking POT -- being convicted of a federal felony should get a player banned for life.. as if any team would actually want him at this point.

If Vick ever were to play again, the circus surrounding each of his games would be great -- "Who Let The Dogs Out"... playing in the Dog Pound... thousands of fans throwing dog biscuits on the field... barking every time he gets sacked...

[Quipman]

I think as a nation we have way more vital issues to deal with than to keep revisiting a story about someone fighting dogs. And yes there are worst human beings like the ones who lied to send our nation to war costing unforgivable pain to our nations mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. And to be honest with you if we as a nation don't start focusing on the task at hand and what's really important, there are going to be people here eating dogs. And for you people who don't think this is possible you need look no further than many of our brother and sisters who are starving around the world. It's time to move on!

[SeriousBlack]

You don't ignore cruelty to animals just because there are other more serious problems in the world. That is a stupid way of thinking, to be blunt about it.

[commonsense2]

Animals already have the short end of the stick largely due to people. If anything they need more attention paid to them because they have no voices at all.

Further more the reason why "brothers and sisters" are all over the world starving is they have noever heard of birth control.

And they are not my brothers and sisters and you are not my "brotha" either.

[Quipman]

I think I can say at this point in 2008 with the backing of science that you are by brother whether you like it or not. Move on please. There are people starving in America and around the world, Innocent human beings locked up at Gitmo and our own jails, Wall street failing and your talking about animals having no voice.

[Zoidie]

You miss the point, cruel, violent behavior should never be ignored, never go unpunished. It is precisely this manner of behavior that cultivates and promotes universal immorality, leading to the global problems that you say we should (rather) focus upon. Life is sacred, whether it be human or animal. As a nation we should never ever ignore inhumane actions....so no it's never the time to move on...... Michael Vick needs to go away.... for a long long time.

[nollepros]

Wow, some people have the nerve to cast judgement based on their individual beliefs, Vick is paying his dept to society, let it go. Let the law do its job, Where's the outrage when a human life is taking each hour on the hour to sensless violence.

[Zoidie]

Mixing apples with oranges. All violence is despicable.... how much outrage would you like us to have in comparison? Have you been measuring?...... and BTW it's 'debt' not 'dept'. Animals are in the same category as the voiceless.... the forgotten. Our voices need to rise loud and clear in defense of their rights.

[Luvnumber9]

If you eat chicken, pork, turkey, steak, or fish...any type of meat or animal...you should not comment on this blog!!!!

[SeriousBlack]

Apparently you've never had a pet.

Or if you have, what if I stopped by your house and abducted your pet dog and put it in a ring and watched a pit bull tear it apart, just for laughs?

Then, by the logic in your post, you wouldn't be entitled to comment on it, would you? Because you eat meat, right?

Now doesn't that show the ridiculousness of your post?

[Luvnumber9]

I had a dog and he died...I don't eat meat or any animals so I find it funny for anyone to comments on this blog if you eat animal.

[Higherground]

bite me ;- )

[Higherground]

What if you just eat animal crackers?

Is that the same as claiming you didn't inhale?

[Higherground]

what about animal crackers?

[commonsense2]

You are stupid.

Hunting animals and when they die right away is different from TORTURING them for enjoyment. Stop sticking up for him because he is black. You always do that.

[carolsstudio]

This creature is the scum of the earth.
He should not under any circumstances be reinstated into the NFL.
He should not be allowed to make a living representing anything to the public where
his notoriety could be used for his benefit.

How could anyone derive pleasure or be indifferent to such cruelty.
I could never, nor would I ever want to understand that mindset.
I do however hope that he and anyone else who participates in this heinous depraved
act suffer the same fate.

[Zoidie]

Hear hear..... Michael Vick is a sicko......

[dbg2]

The first question a shrink asks a patient to determine if they are a danger to themselves or others is have you ever hurt an animal for fun....

[Steve69]

Nothing the courts could do to him would be bad enough. I hope he loses everything and becomes a homeless bum!!! He truly deserves to be put to death in a VERY painful way.

[Yovovi]

I think that's ridiculous and inhumane. An eye for an eye (even a dog's eye) leaves everyone blind.

[fedupwiththis]

I think we should get together and put a bounty on his sick worthless a$$. Better yet, put him in a room with four or five of the animals he has perverted just after they've been "blooded" by killing some innocent pet. That's it. The NFL can take a hike. If they can permit human waste such as this make a fortune in their league I hope the entire brainless undertaking goes down the crapper.

[Dayahka]

Sounds like a very sick fellow, a sadist. How about just throwing away the key and keeping this waste of a human being behind bars for life--or throw him into a room filled with killer pit bulls and see how long he laughs.