VALPARAISO | A local law professor, who viewed the pit bull terriers involved in the Michael Vick dogfighting case, said Friday those that are still alive were spared because the case was a high-profile case.
Rebecca J. Huss, a professor at Valparaiso University who served as court-appointed guardian and special master of the dogs seized in the Vick case, finally spoke to members of the media Friday after the end of the case.
She told reporters that Oscar Allen, the man who attended dog fights and sold a female pit bull to former NFL quarterback Michael Vick, was sentenced Friday morning to three years of probation, a $500 fine and a $50 special assessment.
Allen was the final co-defendant sentenced in the case brought by the U.S. attorney for Northern Viriginia.
Huss said his sentence was light due to his cooperation with investigators.
An expert in animal law, Huss said the condition of the dogs was typical of what is found in dogfighting enterprises.
"It's pretty common that dogs for fighting are chained," Huss said. "All of these dogs were chained and kept outside. When I viewed the dogs last October, they were in pretty good physical condition, but some had scarring.
"Those who didn't we weren't sure if they had ever actually been used in the fights. But you have to remember, dogs were killed if they didn't perform the way they wanted them to."
Huss received 47 dogs that she placed with eight different rescue organizations. She said none has been adopted yet and the dogs are still undergoing evaluation and training. Some 53 dogs were found at the Vick property in Atlanta last July, but one was euthanized and a number of others died.
"They're going through a process of learning to live in the real world. Keep in mind, these dogs in this case have to be evaluated behaviorally continually, so it's more extensive than a typical case," Huss said.
She said the animals seized in this case were spared because they were in the spotlight.
"The reason why we had to have someone appointed guardian is because of all the attention. The attorney got many calls requesting these dogs. One issue in the past is many dogs seized in other cases don't go into placement but are euthanized," she said.
The placement process and the spaying, neutering and microchipping of each dog were part of Vick's agreement to plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges stemming from his involvement in the animal fighting venture.
"He had to make restitution so this process could be used," Huss said.
She stressed the importance of looking at each dog independently.
"Each dog needs to be individually considered and each dog's behavior considered" Huss said, adding that families who adopt the dogs in the future will sign a waiver to indemnify the adoption organization.
