[Maddie's Mom]

* Story Highlights
* Money will cover care and/or euthanasia for pit bulls found on Vick's property
* Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges related to dog fighting in August
* Vick turned himself in Monday to get a jump start on the sentence
* Motion says Vick's financial condition is deteriorating

(CNN) -- The government asked a federal court Tuesday to order former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick to keep on hand assets valued at more than $900,000 -- the amount earmarked for the care of 54 pit bulls.

The animals were found on his property when a dogfighting operation was busted last April.

Vick turned himself in to authorities Monday to get a jump start on serving his sentence for running the ring.

In a motion filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson noted that Vick, in his plea agreement, agreed to pay "restitution for the full amount of the costs associated with the disposition of all dogs" in the case.

Vick agreed that those costs could include "the long-term care and/or the humane euthanasia of some or all of those animals," which were seized from the "Bad Newz Kennels" on his property in Surry County, Virginia.

The motion said that only a restraining order can ensure that Vick's assets are not placed beyond the reach of the government.

It noted that Vick's financial condition is deteriorating, and cited the team's attempt to recoup bonus money from his 10-year, $130 million 2004 football contract; his alleged default on a $1.3 million bank loan for a wine store; another bank lawsuit seeking payment for default on a $2.5 million line of credit; and yet another bank's lawsuit seeking at least $2 million for loans related to a car-rental business.

"In addition, published reports also indicate that Vick is in the process of selling assets, specifically a suburban Atlanta home listed at $4.5 million," it said.

Vick, 27, is being held at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia, until an upcoming sentencing hearing.

He pleaded guilty in August to a federal conspiracy charge of bankrolling the dogfighting operation after three associates admitted their own roles in the ring and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. See a timeline of events in the case »

Vick, who has been suspended indefinitely by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, faces 12 to 18 months in prison on the conspiracy charge.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 10.

On September 25, a Virginia grand jury indicted Vick and the three co-defendants on state charges of running a dogfighting ring.

The Surry County grand jury brought two felony charges against the four men: one count of unlawfully torturing and killing dogs and one of promoting dogfights. Each could result in a five-year prison term.

[Rai_77]

Awesome news!

[Lassic]

OK i understand the man should get jail time because he must do the time because he did the crime but he is only 27 years old & will most likely get out when he is 28 so i really don't think keeping him from playing foot ball ever again is right, it's what he does its a god giving gift and no one should take that from him no matter what he did. I can understand if he worked with dogs and now he can never get another dog or work with them but this is not the case.

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Lassic OK i understand the man should get jail time because he must do the time because he did the crime but he is only 27 years old & will most likely get out when he is 28 so i really don't think keeping him from playing foot ball ever again is right, it's what he does its a god giving gift and no one should take that from him no matter what he did. I can understand if he worked with dogs and now he can never get another dog or work with them but this is not the case.

I guess he should of thought of that before electrocuting his dogs or drowning them. I don't feel sorry for him at all. With every action, there's a consequence.

[LoveThosePits]

Agree with you Lassic. Deal with the crime and leave his career alone. It is his God giving gift-playing ball and no one should be able to take that a way. This country is so big on prosecuting people. How about forgiveness! I do not think fighting dogs is right, but give me a break. Taking his career away for dog fighting! I do not think is right and they should not be able to do this

[Rai_77]

Originally Posted by LoveThosePits Agree with you Lassic. Deal with the crime and leave his career alone. It is his God giving gift-playing ball and no one should be able to take that a way. This country is so big on prosecuting people. How about forgiveness! I do not think fighting dogs is right, but give me a break. Taking his career away for dog fighting! I do not think is right and they should not be able to do this

I am staunchly opposed to dogfighting, but even I can make allowances for maybe, a poor man trying to support his family, who is fighting dogs to put bread on the table, maybe this is all he's known his whole life. I still wouldn't condone it, *but* I at least could see even a glimmer of a reason why it was done.

Now Mike Vick, college educated guy, a millionaire, a role model to kids across the nation....what was his reason for participating? Is Mike Vick a 'dogman'? Hardly. Did he need the money? Nope. He's just a greedy piece of sh*t with no regard for life.

A person like that deserves everything he's gotten and much worse, imo. He is no different than a child molestor or rapist. Sickos that do what they do, because it gives them a false sense of power.

[Lassic]

I can understand your thoughts on this he should get a lot taken away from him but not his carrier, This is the way the man makes a living not something he does for fun giving he did do it for fun when he was a child but now it is the way he puts food on the table so let him do his time and get out and go with his life. Yes he is mike Vick and he is a roll model for kids adults and all other people in the world but i really feel there taking this to another level just because he is rich and he plays football. we all no if this was some nobody doing this he would be in jail doing his time and it would be forgotten about already. Mike Vick is losing millions and maybe even his carrier if it was that nobody he would be doing 1 to 2 years in jail maybe and thats a hard maybe,possibly 6 months and a $1500 fine and he if free but mike Vick hes loosing millions and possibly his carrier so i think he is getting it just a Lil hard.

[Michele]

He's getting what he deserves.

[Galadriel]

The only person Mike Vick has to blame for losing is career is Mike Vick. It's not the animal rights activists, or the rescuers, or the lovers of APBT's that are banning him from playing again, it's the NFL commission. But Vick is so arrogant, that he thought there was no way they'd be able to make it without him. Surely, the NFL and the entire sport of American Football would crumble without him! PLEASE!
They let it go when he flipped of a fan on camera. They let it go when he was stopped at the Miami airport with a hide away bottle. Ron Mexico, anyone? And these are only the incidents that were picked up by the media. Who knows what else went on behind closed doors?
I don't care if it was dog fighting, drug smuggling, illegal firearms, et cetera. The man was paid MILLIONS a year to be a professional athlete and roll model to our children, but under it all, he was a criminal and he got caught. So no, I don't think he deserves the money or the notoriety because he is obviously incapable of carrying that responsibility.

[Lassic]

He is only human. So many people have gotten caught doing illegal things and it doesn't make the news and or the paper he does this and he is in the paper,news,websites, and everything else you can think of it shouldn't be brought to this point of exposure just because he is a pro athlete its no ones business what he did and what is being done about it toward him i feel. There are lots of people out there that do bad things worse then what he has done and none of us even no about it because they weren't a pro football player or a pro basketball player so why does it get to this point because he is pro.

[Rai_77]

Originally Posted by Lassic He is only human. So many people have gotten caught doing illegal things and it doesn't make the news and or the paper he does this and he is in the paper,news,websites, and everything else you can think of it shouldn't be brought to this point of exposure just because he is a pro athlete its no ones business what he did and what is being done about it toward him i feel. There are lots of people out there that do bad things worse then what he has done and none of us even no about it because they weren't a pro football player or a pro basketball player so why does it get to this point because he is pro.

While that may be true, don't you think that those in the spotlight have a responsibility to the public to hold themselves to a higher standard? I think it's a slap in the face to disappoint your fans, because they are the ones, ultimately, that are the reason you are making the millions you do. If no one bought tickets, there would be no game. Part of being famous is accepting the responsibility that you have to your fans, whether you like it or not, you are a role model, and you should conduct yourself as such, and, imo this is especially true for athletes. Honor and integrity are held in very high regard with regard to Sportsmanship. People of integrity and honor would not do what he did, the way he did it, period.

[Galadriel]

He had already been in the media so much for setting bad examples, when is it time to say enough is enough? Yes, it got a disturbing amount of media coverage because he was already in the spotlight. Americans are obsessed with their "celebrities" so the media is giving them what they want...dirt. Had it been a politician, it would have been the same thing. And, I gotta tell ya, I wouldn't vote for anyone with his history, so why would I support Vick's career?
The fact that he IS a pro athlete is exactly why it got the exposure that it did, and still continues to. That's what I meant by he was carrying an enormous amount of responsibility. He was responsible for doing his job, for presenting himself as a roll model to the public, and representing a HUGE organization in a good light. He failed to do those things. He had every opportunity in the world, and he worked for it...but he blew it. I might feel a little differently if dog fighting had been his only offense, but it wasn't! Here in ATL, there was a Vick story every other week long before the dog fighting charges happened. I had already been saying for months "WHY do they let this guy continue to play?" This is not the kind of person I want my children looking up to.
And I'm not trying to change your mind or make you see things a different way. Just explaining why I feel the way I do. Respect for your opinion, always =)

[Lucy Loo]

Originally Posted by Rai_77 While that may be true, don't you think that those in the spotlight have a responsibility to the public to hold themselves to a higher standard? I think it's a slap in the face to disappoint your fans, because they are the ones, ultimately, that are the reason you are making the millions you do. If no one bought tickets, there would be no game. Part of being famous is accepting the responsibility that you have to your fans, whether you like it or not, you are a role model, and you should conduct yourself as such, and, imo this is especially true for athletes. Honor and integrity are held in very high regard with regard to Sportsmanship. People of integrity and honor would not do what he did, the way he did it, period.

I totally agree with this post. As a public figure that relys on the publics love, trust and admiration for him to make him wealthy far beyond any of our means, I also believe he has a DUTY to be a good role model. Especially for children, for they look up to him and want to be just like him. I can't imagine the inner-city kids that will want to be a dogfighter because "Michael Vick did it"........he needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law IMO. And if the NFL doesn't want him back, for whatever reason, negative image, or what not, that's up to them. Too many of their "heroes" are showing that no matter how much money you throw at them, they are still going to be scum. Alot of your NFL players are above that, and realize that with the money and fame comes responsibility. They realize that they are role models and do what they can to promote their causes in a positive way. With the money that they make, there is no reason or excuse to do any less. That is why I don't understand why MV was doing what he was doing.......he certainly didn't need the money, he had the world in his hand. And he blew it all by being a cruel, coldhearted thug. He accomplished so much in his young life, and threw it all away because of a desire to see two animals tear each other apart.
Michael Vick is an excellent athlete, and he was (and still is) much loved by his fans. He had it all. Having to pay restitution for those animals that he abused is a small price to pay for a man of his means. I think he owes it to them and the people that try to help these dogs have a better life. But I don't think it should stop there. He should be financially responsible for public service announcements to educate the public about the dangers of dogfighting, with top notch celebrities being the primary spokespeople. And of course better education regarding the Pit Bull. In a perfect world, that is what I would ask for. He has done a disservice to this breed, and needs to be a part of salvaging its reputation.

JMHO.....

[Michele]

Originally Posted by Lassic He is only human. So many people have gotten caught doing illegal things and it doesn't make the news and or the paper he does this and he is in the paper,news,websites, and everything else you can think of it shouldn't be brought to this point of exposure just because he is a pro athlete its no ones business what he did and what is being done about it toward him i feel. There are lots of people out there that do bad things worse then what he has done and none of us even no about it because they weren't a pro football player or a pro basketball player so why does it get to this point because he is pro.

Because he is/was a celebrity, that makes whatever he does open to the public. So many kids looked up to this man. As far as his football career goes, he did it to himself. He thought he was untouchable. He is now an embarrassment to the NFL and whoever else sponsored him for commercials. And I'm sure all those kids who looked up to him feel very let down.

[Lassic]

So in your eyes Vick is a role model for all people and he should no better and do good all the time because you and everyone look up to him!!
I don't feel that is right, the man plays football and thats it he gets tons of money because he can play a position like no other & just because he can do that well you feel that he must be good at all times he is human he is allowed to make mistakes. I understand that he has made mistakes and some people might here about it more because there in the ATL but thats because there there and were here so we can only go by what we here. So in my opinion i feel the man should pay the fines given to him do his time and be allowed back in the NFL, What he did Had nothing to do with his carrier.

[Michele]

Lassic: This is not the first time he's acted like a moron. I'm sticking by what I said. When you are in the spotlight like he was, and you have so many people watching you and looking up to you, like a "hero", you have a certain responsibility to your public fans. What he did, trying pathetically to be a "dogman" deserves what he is getting now. And the bigger picture is this: he added another notch in the belt for BSL. So, now, us "little" people have to fighter even harder because he was a moron.

As far as being allowed back in the NFL, he's an embarassment and a disgrace. What he did was illegal.

[Rai_77]

Originally Posted by Lassic So in your eyes Vick is a role model for all people and he should no better and do good all the time because you and everyone look up to him!! I don't feel that is right, the man plays football and thats it he gets tons of money because he can play a position like no other & just because he can do that well you feel that he must be good at all times he is human he is allowed to make mistakes. I understand that he has made mistakes and some people might here about it more because there in the ATL but thats because there there and were here so we can only go by what we here. So in my opinion i feel the man should pay the fines given to him do his time and be allowed back in the NFL, What he did Had nothing to do with his carrier.

FYI - he gets tons of money for playing football because THE FANS PAY TONS OF MONEY TO SEE HIM PLAY. No fans, no money, no career. Simple as that. He most certainly owes his fans for that. And fans support people that they respect and admire. He has proven himself not to be worthy of that respect and admiration, and his career is dead, which is 100% how it should be.

[Lucy Loo]

I can understand the football fans want for Michael Vick to be able to return to football, as soon as the NFL lets him return. And rest assured, they probably will, for when that time comes, all of this outrage over his dogfighting activities will be bogged down by some other NFL superstar that grabs the headlines.

But as a bully owner and lover, I can not and never will condone what he did, no matter what his reasons are. You can say its a southern thing, a cultural thing, a race thing, whatever, but it is also illegal and cruel. MV has put the Pit Bull under a microscope like it has never been before. Where some people are expressing sympathy for the dogs plight, others, like the morons that have jumped on the BSL bandwagon, are using what he did as another excuse to ban this breed. WHAT MORON CAN'T SEE THAT THIS IS NOT THE BREED, BUT THE OWNER? And that is unfortunately what we have to contend with, he has not only brought shame to the NFL, he has brought undeserved scrutiny to Pit Bulls and their responsible owners everywhere. Not only are other people having to deal with rehabiltating his dogs (if indeed that can happen) but the rest of us are having to deal with defending ourselves even more than before for owning the breed. I respect your opinion of MV, but I will no longer remember him as an NFL star-I will remember him as a man that did us bully owners a great disservice, he made us fight even harder to keep our bullies at home with us, away from the likes of him. Hopefully in the end, that will turn out to be a good thing.

[maryellen]

keep it civil everyone please. this is a hot topic and can very easily get heated..

[LoveThosePits]

Give me a break everyone! I totally agree with you Lassic. You people are so hard and ready the send the man up the river. He made a mistake! As each one of us have in our lives and maybe will make in the future. He has apologized for what he has done and for that, I commend him. Going after his career is ridiculous! What are we getting from that? The crime that we are soooooo upset about has already happened. So taking everything from this man (human being) will not change anything. I agree he should pay a fine, donate to animal shelters, do his time and after time served, be a spoke person against dog fighting. However, what keeps troubling me is, we only heard about Mr. Vick in this case and there were several of others involved. Ask yourself why they are only going after him. Is it because he is the only one with the money and has more to lose? Do not get me wrong I hate what he did. It is horrible! I love my pitty and cannot image doing anything like this. I think that we are not looking at the big picture and are only focusing on the act of dog fighting. Yes, we all know he has a lot of money and we know it was not for that. Maybe he likes the sport of it…the gameness in the dogs. People, we are only human and make mistakes. As for me, as long as he forgive his self for his actions, see the horrible things he has done to such beautiful creatures, learned from this, vow to never do such a thing again, pay his fine, do his time ( 6-18 months ) and give to animal shelters then he has paid for the crime.