Ookie's Day in Court

Michael Vick, the Atlanta Falcons' $130 million quarterback, missed the first day of training camp Thursday, instead appearing in court in Richmond, Va., to plead not guilty to federal dogfighting charges. The 27-year-old, also known as "Ookie," is charged with conspiracy in running an "illegal animal-fighting venture" called "Bad Newz Kennels" on his southeastern Virginia property. Last April, during an unrelated drug investigation, "approximately 53 pit bulldogs" were discovered and seized by the Surry County Sheriff's office.

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The complaint filed by the U.S. attorney "to forfeit and condemn" the confiscated animals (below and on the following five pages) claims the dogs "had scars and injuries consistent with injuries sustained in dog fighting" (Page 3). The state officers also found "a blood-stained fighting area" and "breeding equipment, including a 'rape stand' and 'performance enhancing pharmaceuticals.' "

The document sheds light on the shady underworld of dogfighting, explaining that dogs are "washed before a fight to remove any poison or narcotic placed on the dog's coat," because a "tainted" dog could affect "the opposing dog's performance" and that a "purse for the winning side" can run into thousands of dollars. It's hard to see how dogfighting fits into the lifestyle of a professional athlete, as fights "generally occurred late at night or early in the morning, and would last several hours" (Page 5). Also unlike football, there are no comebacks from a bad game. A "losing dog was sometimes put to death by drowning, strangulation, hanging, gun shot, [or] electrocution." (The indictment also listed evidence of "slamming at least one dog's body to the ground.")

Vick's trial will begin in November. Too early to tell if his football career has gone to the dogs.

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