SMITHFIELD, Va. (AP) -Authorities investigating evidence that suggested a home owned by Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was involved in a dog fighting operation met to compare information on Monday.
“At this time, the investigation continues. We have no further comment,” said a statement distributed to reporters after the nearly 2-hour meeting said.
The meeting at the Surry County government office involved Commonwealth’s Attorney Gerald Poindexter, Sheriff Harold Brown, the county’s animal control officer, two special agents from the Virginia State Police and an investigator with the U.S. Department of Agriculture also representing the U.S. Office of the Inspector General.
The case began April 25 when police conducting a drug investigation raided the house Vick owned in rural Surry County and found dozens of dogs. They also found items associated with dog fighting, including a “pry bar” used to pry apart a dog’s jaws.
No charges have been filed in the case, but Poindexter last week told The Associated Press as many as six to 10 people could be involved. Dog fighting is a felony in Virginia.
Vick is a registered dog breeder.
He has blamed relatives for taking advantage of his generosity and insisted he’s rarely at the house – even though he’s the owner.
The Daily Press of Newport News has reported Vick has since sold the home.
Poindexter said the county seized some 60 dogs from the house. Several dogs had old scars, but mostly the dogs appeared to be well-cared for, he said.
Vick has said he let a cousin, Davon Boddie, live at the house, and that he didn’t know a large kennel on the property could be involved in a criminal activity.
Vick, the former Virginia Tech quarterback, in recent weeks has been sternly warned against misbehavior by Falcons owner Arthur Blank, and summoned to New York to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
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