Michael Vick Sentenced To 23 Months For Dogfighting

Michael Vicks MySpace page touts himself as "the fastest man u will ever c...im the qb and no one can catch me." But so they did on Monday when the Atlanta Falcons quarterback was sentenced to 23 months in prison for his involvement in a dog fighting ring.

It was US District Judge Henry Hudson that sentenced Vick, doling out a harsher punishment than that recommended by prosecutors. His sentence also includes three years probation.

His harsher punishment may have stemmed from the fact that it was Vick that bankrolled the operation.

After pronouncing his sentence, Hudson said, "You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you."

"Im willing to deal with the consequences and accept the responsibility for my actions," Vick said in court according to the AFP.

Vick was indicted this past July when he admitted to sharing responsibility in the killing of several dogs who had performed poorly in fights. Many were killed by drowning, beating, and hanging. One was even shot with a .22 caliber pistol after performing poorly in a "testing" session.

Atlanta Falcons owner and CEO Arthur Bank said in a statement, "This is a difficult day for Michaels family and for a lot of us...we sincerely hope that Michael will use this time to continue to focus his efforts on making positive changes in his life, and we wish him well in that regard."

Vick also faces rough finances in the near future. Vick signed a 10-year, $130 million in December of 2004 but now owes the Falcons $19.97 million for violating his contract and has been indefinitely suspended by the NFL. He has also lost his sponsorship deals and has paid nearly $1 million into a fund to care for the dogs rescued from the ring.

Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, has been a constant voice throughout the Vick scandal. "Michael Vick committed a reckless and unconscionable crime, and the sentence meted out today is fitting and appropriate," said Pacelle in a statement.

Two of Vicks co-defendants, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, have already been sentenced to 18 and 21 months. Vick also faces Virginia state charges next year.

Valparaiso University School of Law professor Rebecca J. Huss, in a Summary Report to the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, recommended that 47 of the rescued American pit bull terriers be placed with eight organizations.

Best friends Animal Society will be receiving the most dogs whereas 22 will be relocated from various shelters to an animal sanctuary operated by Best Friends. The sanctuary sits on 33,000 acres of land near the town of Kanab in southwestern Utah.

"They deserve the very best that we can give them," said Paul Berry, CEO of Best Friends. "We are prepared to provide a safe place for them to stay for the rest of their lives."

Both Berry and Pacelle of the Humane Society hope for a newfound awareness on the subject. "There has been a tripling in arrests of dogfighters since the Vick case came to light," said Pacelle.

"The pit bull is easily the most misunderstood breed of dog in the U.S.," said Berry. "Unfortunately, it is the very loving and loyal nature of these dogs that makes them prone to exploitation."