Vick fighting dogs headed to Kanab sanctuary

Some of the pit bulls connected to a dogfighting ring involving suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will be coming to an animal shelter in Utah.

The Kanab-based Best Friends Animal Society confirmed that it will receive 22 of the 48 American pit bull terriers.

"The court has granted Best Friends the opportunity to do what it does best — provide a caring, rehabilitative home for these abused, homeless animals," Best Friends CEO Paul Berry said in a statement posted at bestfriends.org. "They deserve the very best that we can give them, and we are prepared to provide a safe place for them to stay the rest of their lives."

Appearing before a federal judge in Virginia wearing prison stripes, Vick was sentenced today to 23 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy that involved gambling and killing pit bulls. He apologized to the court and his family.

"You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you," U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson said.

"Yes, sir," Vick replied.

Vick pleaded guilty in August, admitting to bankrolling a dogfighting operation on his rural Virginia property and helping kill six to eight dogs that didn't perform well in fights.

Of the 48 dogs seized by authorities, the Best Friends Animal Society will receive the largest number. An Oakland, Calif., group that helps pit bulls will receive 10. The rest are being awarded to shelters in Georgia, Maryland and Virginia.

The Best Friends Animal Society said it has facilities and expertise in working with "difficult dogs."

"We have a set-up for dogs that cannot live with other dogs," said Best Friends spokeswoman Barbara Williamson. "We have set-ups for dogs that get along great with other dogs, but not people."

Williamson said she could not comment on the condition of the dogs in the Vick case, nor any other details until late January, when the last defendant in the criminal case has gone through the courts.

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Contributing: Associated Press

E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com