Russell Simmons, who has done PSAs about animal cruelty in the past, appeared in a clip about dog fighting that was released on YouTube yesterday. I’m waiting for the one starring Michael Vick.

Michael Vick’s federal plea deal, in which he admitted guilt to dog fighting conspiracy charges, saved him a hefty amount of jail time, but will probably hurt him now that a prosecutor in the Virginia county where the dog fighting occurred has plans to present evidence to a grand jury.

“Most of the matters that I’m presenting have already been admitted in sworn statements authored by the defendants in the federal proceedings,” Poindexter said.

Poindexter couldn’t detail the exact indictments he will pursue, but said the local investigation and the federal investigation largely focused on different crimes.

“The killing of dogs is one of those statutory prohibitions. Dogfighting is a crime, the mistreatment of animals is a crime, so you could take your pick, or take them all,” Poindexter said before cutting the conversation short. “I don’t have anything else to say about it. I’m through with it. Hopefully it’s coming to an end.”

It’s possible that he could get an additional 40 years in prison. I’m just a few hairs short of PETA with my animal rights opinions (if only meat didn’t taste so good), but even I think that’s pretty damn excessive — and highly unlikely. I don’t mind the fact that the possibility is keeping him up at night, though.

[ESPN]

DMX is in trouble with Arizona police after a raid of his home there last month produced evidence of animal cruelty, although the unofficial verdict at the time was that the emaciated dogs found on the property did not seem to be fighting dogs. However post-mortems on the three pit bull corpses uncovered by police show signs of serious wounds.

According to Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, one of the dogs had bite wounds and another suffered trauma to its abdomen, but exact causes of death have yet to be determined. A third dog carcass had been burned so badly an exam was inconclusive, reports the Associated Press.

Yonkers native (it ain’t just a Southern thing) DMX continues to blame the situation on caretakers and houseguests, who, if he is telling the truth, clearly managed to cause quite a bit of death and destruction without DMX knowing.

Or caring.

[EUR]

Today was Whoopi Goldberg’s first day as moderator on The View, and she’s already stirring the pot, Rosie-style.

Almost as soon as the cameras started to roll, Whoopi spoke out in semi-defense of Michael Vick, blaming his actions on his cultural upbringing and not, well, sheer stupidity and cruelty.

“You know from his background this is not an unusual thing for where he comes from,” said Goldberg.

“There are certain things that are indicative to certain parts of our country.”

Co-host Joy Behar seemed shocked at Goldberg’s statements.

“How about dog torture and dog murdering,” Behar asked.

“Unfortunately it’s part of the thing,” Goldberg replied.

“You’re a dog lover. For a lot of people dogs are sport,” she added.

Behar continued to shake her head in disgust.

All of the excuses in the world can be made for this man, but dog fighting was illegal when he started doing it and illegal when he finished. I am (sort of) from the South and actually lived and worked in Michael Vick’s hometown for about a year. Funny, although dog fighting was obviously happening — literally in Michael Vicks backyard and elsewhere — while I was there I didn’t know anyone who did it. It’s not a Southern thing. It’s an idiotic, illegal thing. Understand the distinction.

[WSBTV]

DMX, a man whose dog-inspired body of work qualifies him for a red flag on the “Who We Can Catch In The Act Of Animal Cruelty” list, was caught in the act of animal cruelty Friday evening, when sheriffs raided his unhabited Arizona home and found 12 emaciated pit bulls, along with some dog carcasses. As an extra bonus, a locked master bedroom produced a half-pound of possibly illegal narcotics and an arsenal of assault weapons.

Through his lawyer, DMX expressed shock at the condition of his dogs and said he had hired a caretaker to look after them. Apparently, they’re still deciding how they might blame the caretaker for the drugs and guns.

[AZ]

In Michael Vick’s plea agreement, which will officially be announced Monday, the accused dog-fighter will only admit to one felony conspiracy charge of interstate commerce for the purpose of dogfighting. While he admits to being present when dogs were killed, he would not admit to killing any himself or gambling.

The deal, as outlined by the ESPN sources, ignores more damaging information reportedly provided by Vick’s co-defendants to federal investigators.

As part of their plea agreements, the co-defendants said Vick participated in the executions of dogs at the Bad News Kennel enterprise, which they say Vick bankrolled.

Vick, 27, could serve up to five years in prison for his guilty plea under federal sentencing guidelines.

But it will probably be more like a year, if that. Meanwhile, his estranged dad, who is still on Vick’s payroll for some reason, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that his son was staging dog fights from the family home in Virginia as far back as 2001. There goes dad’s allowance.

[ABC]

After his friends dogged him out (ha ha), Michael Vick pleaded guilty today and will probably be thrown (I’m on a roll) in jail for at least a year. How much will it suck — for him — if his cell mate has a beloved dog waiting for him back home?

[CNN]

Michael Vick’s legal team is currently brokering a plea deal, which will probably include some jail time, for their embattled, (alleged) dog-fight-loving client. The plea deal comes after Vick’s co-defendants all pleaded guilty as part of a deal with the prosecutor. In other words, it wasn’t looking good for him.

Vick’s motivation to enter a guilty plea is likely fueled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office announcement last month that it will seek a new “superseding” indictment against Vick by the end of August. With the cooperation of Vick’s three co-defendants, there will likely be new, and more specific, allegations against Vick. The federal grand jury in Richmond is expected to hand up that indictment sometime early next week…This week, Vick learned that in the criminal justice system, friendship only goes so far.

Well, that’s that. The various activists involved in either side of the argument can move on to their next pet projects. No pun intended.

[AJC]

Alright, this is getting kind of ridiculous now. Melanie Brown claims she knew her new husband, Stephen Belafonte, had some domestic violence issues with his previous wife. But does she know that he once killed a duck? In New Jersey? And never paid the fine?

The film producer, 32, was found guilty of an animal control charge after he admitted of throwing a brick at a mallard outside his home in Point Pleasant, according to British newspaper The Sun.

An Ocean County court spokeswoman said: “A warrant has been issued over unpaid fines and costs relating to an animal control offense. He will be arrested if he returns to the area.”

Belafonte, who wed the Spice Girl in secret in June, admitted attacking his ex-partner Nicole Contreras and was given a suspended jail sentence.

As interesting as it is that Belafonte might have to avoid Point Pleasant, NJ for the rest of his life so that he doesn’t get arrested for an outstanding duck slaying charge, it has become very clear that the guy has some crucial anger management problems.

[SP]

Dear Michael Vick,

I have a dog. Her name is Charli. She’s a very girly dog — an all-black cockapoo, who’s never bitten anyone in her life, with a perpetually wagging tail. I don’t even think she knows how to growl. But that’s not the point. I’ve had a number of conversations with people who, although they may not condone dog fighting, consider the practice acceptable on some small level because pit bulls are different. Because pit bulls are “bred for fighting.” So somehow they matter less? Sorry, “Ookie.” I don’t think that pits are much more different from other dogs than Charli is from a Golden Retriever or a Dalmation or a Rottweiler, even. Different breeds with different temperaments. That’s all. Do I want one roaming around my house? No. Do I want one tortured? Hell no!

With that said, when I read about what you allegedly did to those dogs — electrocuting them, hanging them, banging their heads against the ground until they die — I think of someone doing that to Charli. And, well, I want to lock you in a cage with one of your brutalized pit bulls and let him have his way with you. Or strap you on one of those rape stands you have and let one of your brutalized pits, uh, have his way with you. Or…well, you get the picture, right Ookie?

CONTINUED »