Michael Vick may pay to have surviving 53 dogs killed. What a guy!

[Janice]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/fo...el_vicks_.html

Taxpayers spared hit from Michael Vick's dogfighting misdeeds

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 quarterback who pleaded guilty last week to bankrolling a dogfighting ring and helping kill underperforming dogs, part of the 27-year-old's plea agreement calls for him to "make restitution for the full amount of the costs associated with the disposition of all dogs." That includes paying for "the long-term care and/or the humane euthanasia of some or all" of the 53 dogs seized from Vick's Smithfield, Va. property back in April.

Thursday, the Daily News had an up-close visit with 11 of those dogs - all pit bulls - which have been held at the Hanover County (Va.) Animal Control facility, north of Richmond, for the past three weeks. Originally, the dogs were placed in a Surry County shelter, but limited space and resources required the dogs be spread out among shelters throughout eastern and southeastern Virginia.

Commander Sergeant Kevin Kilgore, chief of the Hanover facility for the past 15 years, told the News that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) maintains custody of the 11 dogs and may have a decision on their fate as early as this week. Even though several of the 11 pit bulls wagged their tails or showed signs of affection in their cramped cages, Kilgore is pessimistic about their fate.

"They're doomed because of their genetics, which is supported by the training to be fighters," Kilgore says. "All dogs have a prey drive. If these (Vick) dogs were allowed to run loose, these dogs may have a prey drive kick in," posing a danger to other dogs or worse - children and families.

Goodwin says that dog behavior experts will assist the USDA in making a decision if the Vick dogs - five females and six males - are suitable for adoption, but "generally fighting dogs are not suitable for adoption.

"They were bred to kill other dogs," says Goodwin. "They're very dangerous."

And Kilgore adds that even if a well-skilled dog handler were to adopt a dog trained to dogfight, there is the greater concern of how the dog would react in a community. Hormones, protecting territory, the sight of other dogs and loud noises are just some of the aspects that could trigger a violent reaction from a dog who has been abused or mistreated.

[catlover79]

Ay carumba...