[Purple]

Animal groups can apply to help dogs taken from Vick property

By DAVE FORSTER, The Virginian-Pilot


Animal rescue organizations that want to help the pit bulls taken from Michael Vick's property were asked today to apply for the opportunity by Nov. 12.

Rebecca J. Huss, a law professor acting as a court-appointed guardian of the dogs, released a nine-page application with a host of requirements – including a $1 million insurance policy – that prospective organizations must meet. The organizations must also be non-profits that have existed for at least three years.

Huss said she had already heard from "many well meaning citizens" about the dogs since she was appointed guardian on Oct. 16 and hoped that established rescue groups would respond to the calls for applicants.

Forty-eight pit bulls remain from a dogfighting operation that Vick and three associates ran in Surry County, beginning in 2001 and ending when authorities searched the property in April 2007. The men pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge this summer and are scheduled to be sentenced in late November and December.

A team of animal behavior experts has already evaluated the pit bulls and tentatively placed each into one of four categories: Sixteen of the dogs showed no sign of aggression or threat to people or other dogs and should be placed in experienced foster care homes for additional observation or rehabilitation. Eventually, these dogs may be placed in screened homes, according to the application.

Two of the dogs appear suited to for law enforcement training because they showed high energy and motivation, the application said.

The remaining 30 dogs fall into one of two levels of sanctuaries due to their fear of or threat to people. Some of these dogs might eventually improve enough to be placed in foster care, the application said.

One dog seized from the Vick property has been euthanized because of its aggressiveness. More could be killed if such a move is deemed necessary to protect the public, or if no suitable placement is found for the dogs, Huss said.

The government wants the applications returned to Huss no later than Nov. 12 so the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service can soon begin inspecting the applicants' facilities.

"If everything goes according to schedule, the dogs could be transferred to the rescue organizations before the end of the year," Huss said.

To obtain an application go to this site: http://www.valpo.edu/law/assets/docs...pplication.pdf

http://content.hamptonroads.com/stor...35583&ran=6460

[Noelle's Mom]

Damn, how many NON PROFIT organizations have the capability of having a million dollar insurance policy? I hope someone GOOD picks these dogs up. They deserve some happiness and care in their lives.

[Princess Fionas Sister]

I know. I wish could help by taking...oh...I don't know how many...how bout all! J/K