Vick Deposits $1 Million for Dogs
In a long-awaited hearing on December 10, Michael Vick – top pick in the 2001 NBA draft and ultra-rich Atlantic Falcons star, currently on indefinite suspension – was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison for his involvement in dog-fighting operations on property he owned in Virginia.
Vick pleaded guilty to federal dog-fighting charges in August and still faces trial on similar charges in the state of Virginia, sheduled to begin on April 2, 2008.
Vick’s troubles don’t stop there.
In court papers filed in mid-November, the government asked U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson to issue a restraining order against him, freezing enough money to cover the costs of caring for the 47 surviving dogs seized from his Bad Newz Kennels in June and finding homes for them.
On 11/29, Vick agreed to deposit $928,073 into an escrow account managed by his attorney Billy Martin’s Washington law firm. A court filing stated that the money is being set aside “to pay whatever restitution amount is ultimately ordered in this case.”
Vick voluntarily began serving his prison term on November 19.
SF Judge Throws Out UCSF Case
A lawsuit filed by Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) accusing UC San Francisco of illegally spending state money to conduct painful, unnecessary experiments on dogs and monkeys was dismissed on November 26. The plaintiffs wanted the judge to stop what they called illegal, scientifically irrelevant experiments and to appoint someone to monitor the lab’s compliance with the federal Animal Welfare Act.
In dismissing the case, Superior Court Judge Patrick Mahoney said Congress has designated federal regulators to oversee animal research and that the Animal Welfare Act does not authorize suits by private citizens.
In September 2005, UCSF paid a settlement of $92,500 after US Department of Agriculture inspectors reported multiple violations of the Welfare Act between May 2001 and December 2003.
According to its attorney, PCRM plans to appeal the case.
Charmin Charms ‘Em
The American Kennel Club/Eukanuba National Championship, the world’s richest dog competition, took place in early December in Long Beach, California. The seventh annual event drew nearly 2,500 dogs and their eager owners from all over the world.
After two days of competition, a male Sealyham Terrier named Charmin was named top dog – an honor that includes a $50,000 cash prize and dog food for life. Total prize money handed out over the weekend was $225,000.
Charmin is owned by Margery Good, Richard Good, and Sandra Middlebrooks of Cochranville, Pennsylvania. He’s certainly no stranger to competition, having won about 40 awards in the year leading up to the really big show.
The competition will be aired on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on February 2. Check local listings for times.
Rich Dog Hides Out
Trouble, a white Maltese who was the beloved canine companion of late New York hotel tycoon, Leona Helmsley, is a very rich pooch. So rich that he has to worry about security, the same as any other celebrity.
Since Helmsley’s death from heart failure in August, the dog has received numerous death threats, despite the fact that nobody stands to gain from Trouble’s demise. When it comes, he will be buried alongside his benefactor, and the remainder of the funds will go to various charitable organizations.
The death threats prompted Trouble’s caretakers to whisk him off to an undisclosed location in Florida. His trust fund manager reports that the cost of caring for the dog – including high-level security and chef-cooked meals – is about $300,000 a year.
Bark Force Wants You!
The Search Dog Foundation is recruiting for Bark Force, a large team of people who will comb shelters and rescue groups nationwide in pursuit of dogs with the drive, boldness, and focus to become disaster search dogs.
If you love animals and have experience in handling large, energetic dogs, Bark Force needs you to test and transport canine candidates. Volunteers are also needed for Internet research, visiting shelters to spot suitable dogs, and handling phone and email queries.
Contact Karen Klingberg at 888-459-4376 (x 114) or canines@ndsdf.org to learn more.
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