RICHMOND, Va., July 18 (UPI) -- A federal court bond hearing has been set for Atlanta Falcons' quarterback Michael Vick on felony charges connected to illegal dog fighting.
An arraignment hearing will be held immediately after the bond hearing, set for July 26 in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va.
The Falcons are scheduled to open their training season the same day, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said.
Vick was one of four men indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury for allegedly procuring and training pit bulls for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines. The defendants were accused of being involved in an animal fighting business based out of Vick's property located in Smithfield, Va., from early 2001-April 2007.
The defendants are alleged to have formed the dog fighting enterprise "Bad Newz Kennels," using the property for housing and training pit bulls used in dog fights.
Participants allegedly placed bets ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, and the fights would last until either the death or surrender of the losing dog -- which would sometimes be put to death by drowning, hanging, gunshot, electrocution or other methods -- prosecutors said.
