Deadline near for dog owners in Vick case to claim animals
Story Highlights
Owners of dogs in Vick case have until 5 p.m. today to claim animals
Dogs seized in April from property the NFL quarterback owned
Michael Vick expected to plead guilty Monday to federal conspiracy charges
NFL still considering what action to take (CNN) -- The owners of 53 pit bulls seized in April from the Virginia property owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick have until the end of the day to claim the animals, a court official said.
NFL star Michael Vick has accepted an offer to plead guilty to conspiracy charges in a dogfighting case.
Prosecutors have asked a federal judge for permission to exterminate the animals, but it is not known when this will take place.
Owners have until 5 p.m. Thursday to claim dogs, said Mary Kay Hatton, division manager for the Clerk's Office at the U.S. Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. She said she's not expecting a judge to rule on the prosecutors' request Thursday.
Officials and animal rights advocates agree that the dogs should be killed because their brutal training could make them a threat to people and other animals.
The dogs might not be killed right away because they are evidence in the case against Vick and possibly others referred to in a federal indictment issued in July. Watch NAACP leader defend Vick »
Vick is scheduled to plead guilty in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Virginia, on Monday to federal conspiracy charges involving illegal dog fighting.
Three other defendants have pleaded guilty in exchange for reduced sentences, contending that money for the dog fighting came almost exclusively from Vick. See what the other defendants admitted »
Federal prosecutors filed several forfeiture notices in Virginia newspapers seeking owners of the dogs, but they say no one has come forward.
The government has subcontracted with several kennels in Virginia to house the animals. Their locations have not been revealed, because of concerns the dog could be stolen.
The details of Vick's plea agreement will be made public after his court appearance. By accepting the deal, Vick will avoid more serious charges that would have been considered by a grand jury that convened this week.
According to court documents, two of Vick's alleged partners said he helped kill dogs that didn't fight well, and that the three men "executed approximately eight dogs" by methods such as hanging and drowning.
The National Football League is reviewing the case and considering what, if any, action it will take against the 27-year-old.
After Vick's indictment, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ordered the quarterback not to report to training camp until the league completed its own review of the case.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/law/08/23/vick.dogs/index.html