LOCAL

RICHMOND – More than 50 pit bulls seized from Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick’s property face a Thursday deadline to be claimed, and if no one comes forward, they could be euthanized. Federal prosecutors fi led court documents last month to condemn 53 pit bulls seized in April as part of the investigation into dogfi ghting on Vick’s property. No one has claimed any of the dogs, which are being held at several unspecified shelters in eastern Virginia, the U.S. Attorney’s office said Wednesday. The government fi led three public civil forfeiture notices in a Richmond newspaper to publicize the dogs’ confiscation, and the deadline for claims is 30 days after the appearance of the fi nal notice, filed July 24.

U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who also is handling Vick’s criminal case, will determine what becomes of the pit bulls. Daphna Nachminovitch, a spokeswoman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said that it’s likely that they will be euthanized because they’re unadoptable as pets.
Vick, 27, said through a lawyer this week that he will plead guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. He is scheduled to enter his plea agreement Monday and could face up to five years in prison.

Two Vick associates said Vick participated in executing at least eight under-performing dogs by various means, including drowning and hanging.