Times Staff and Wire Report
VALPARAISO | A Valparaiso University law school professor has been named to oversee the dogs in the case involving former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick.
A federal judge on Monday signed an order naming Rebecca Huss, a noted expert on animal law, the dogs' guardian/special master.
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Richmond, Va., asked that each of the 48 pit bulls be spayed, neutered and have microchips implanted, according to the motion filed in U.S. District Court.
Huss, will determine the dogs' future. Some may be permanently placed; however others may require euthanizing to protect the public or other animals.
Huss will travel to Virginia, where the dogs are being cared for at six shelters. She will make recommendations for their future to the U.S. Attorney after observing the dogs, reviewing evaluation reports from animal care professionals and interacting with the evaluation teams. The court will then be responsible for carrying out Huss' recommendations.
"My goal, and the court's goal, is to find the best possible future for the dogs and the humans and other animals with which those dogs would come in contact," said Huss, a member of the School of Law's faculty since 1999. "As with other guardianship proceedings, each dog in this case will be evaluated on an individual basis to determine the most appropriate future."
VU faculty are often called upon for their expertise, university spokesman Reggie Syrcle said.
"We are pleased when the quality of our faculty is recognized and used in a fashion like this," Syrcle said.
Earlier this month, a federal judge ordered that one of 49 pit bulls seized be euthanized after the dog displayed too much aggression to allow animal behavior experts to examine it. The order said experts determined the other 48 dogs have placement potential.
The animals were among more than 60 dogs seized during a raid in April. They have been held in animal shelters since.
Vick and three codefendants pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting charge and are to be sentenced before the end of the year. They each face up to five years in prison.
All four still face state charges in Surry County, where the dogfighting enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels operated since 2001 on 15 acres of land Vick owned.
Vick has been charged with two state felony counts -- beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. Each felony is punishable by up to five years in prison.
