Dog group eyes former Vick estate

NORFOLK, Va., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- A group eying the former estate of Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick, sold after his indictment for dogfighting, says it may become an animal sanctuary.

The group, Dogs Deserve Better, says it has a contract on the 4,600-square-foot house and 15 acres of land, which has been cleared of kennels and fences, and has 45 days to raise the $595,000 asking price, The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot reported Tuesday.

Monica Severy, the group's local representative, said it has raised more than $50,000.

Dogs Deserve Better, with headquarters in Tipton, Pa., says it wants to convert the property into a sanctuary where rescued dogs can be trained and learn to live indoors with people and families.

"The dogs will live in the house, and we'll use it for training and for meetings," Severy said. "There will be somebody there all the time, living there."

"We bring them inside with the family. They're all house trained, and they're in a loving environment. We do have dogs in the program that were used for fighting."

An investor purchased the estate after Vick, who grew up in Newport News, Va., sold the property, and the price has been reduced considerably since the economic downfall, Severy said.

She said the group chose the property for the symbolism of turning a place where dogs were made to suffer into a place of refuge for similar dogs.