Most dogs seized in Vick case saved, ASPCA says

New York - 1/28/08 - As the fifth and final defendant in the Michael Vick dog-fighting case was sentenced in a Virginia court, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reported that most of the dogs seized at the football star's property have a chance at rehabilitiation.

"The good news to come out of this (Vick case)...was that almost all the dogs that were seized were saved and have a second chance at living a fulfilled life - a rare outcome in cases such as this," says Ed Sayres, ASPCA president and CEO.

A team of six animal-behavior experts, led by Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, CAAB (Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist), executive vice president for nonprofit group BAD RAP (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls) worked with the behaviorists to help identify dogs that might be absorbed into experienced foster homes for observation and possible re-homing.

Meanwhile, Oscar E. Allen, 67, who sold a female pit bull to the Vick dog-fighting enterprise, was given three years' probation and fined $500 on Jan. 25 in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va. He was the last of the five defendants in the case to be sentenced. Prosecutors said he didn't participate in killing dogs that didn't perform well.

Vick, the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback, was sentenced earlier to 23 months in federal prison. Co-defendants Purnell Peace received 18 months, Quanis Phillips 21 months, and Tony Taylor two months.