Michael Vick's dog fighting house to be transformed into dog rescue

SURRY, Virginia - Animal rescuers at Dogs Deserve Better have their eyes set on the house that Philadelphia Eagles Michael Vick ran his illegal dog fighting ring "Bad Newz Kennels" from, and are raising the money to purchase the property and transform it into a new and improved dog rescue center.

"The group is planning to put $176,507 toward the down payment of the $595,000 house," says Curbed "which first hit the market for $757,000 in '08. The plan? Renovate the 4,600-square-foot house into a $2.5M facility named Good Newz Rehab Center for Chained and Penned Dogs as a spin on Bad Newz Kennels, the name of Vick's old operation."

According to Wikipedia, in July 2007, Vick and three other men were charged by federal authorities with felony charges of operating an unlawful interstate dog fighting venture known as "Bad Newz Kennels." Vick was accused of financing the operation, directly participating in dog fights and executions, and personally handling thousands of dollars in related gambling activities.

During trials, Vick admitted to providing a great deal of the financing for the operation and to engaging in several dog fights in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina. He admitted to splitting proceeds from dog fights and admitted to knowledge of dogs being slaughtered for poor performance. He further admitted to being responsible in the murder of 6 to 8 dogs, by both hanging or drowning.

Curbed continues that "Dogs Deserve Better had tried to buy the house in March but hadn't raised enough money by the deadline and asked for a thirty-day extension.

"The house has five bedrooms and four and a half baths, but the animal rights group plans to build a $2.5M dollar facility on the fifteen acre property"

The organization currently has raised $178,046 for the down payment on the house, but will require further funding to complete renovations and remodeling.  If you would like to make a donation you can do so by visting the Dogs Deserve Better webpage.