SURRY, Va. (AP) -- Federal agents investigating possible dogfighting searched property owned by Michael Vick today.
Portsmouth's WAVY-TV broadcast video of investigators working under a blue tarp on a portion of Vick's wooded property in southeastern Virginia. They were sifting dirt collected in white buckets and clearing brush.
Some wore T-shirts with the wording "POLICE."
CNN confirmed the search, but Surry County officials could not immediately be reached for comment.
Vick -- the Atlanta Falcons quarterback -- has said he rarely visited the property, which includes a house. No charges have been filed.
During an April 25 drug raid at the property, authorities seized 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting. The search warrant affidavit says about half the dogs were tethered to car axles with heavy chains that allowed the dogs to get close to each other, but not to have contact -- an arrangement typical for fighting dogs.
Later, after an informant suggested authorities could find as many as 30 dogs buried on the property, including seven buried only days before the initial raid. Surry County officials secured a search warrant, but never acted on it because prosecutor Gerald Poindexter said he had concerns with the document.
Vick has said he had no idea the property may have been used in a criminal enterprise and blamed family members for taking advantage of his generosity. He also put the house up for sale and reportedly sold it quickly.
Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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