Bad quarterback, no bonus

This'll make Toastie happy:

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and three other men were indicted on conspiracy charges tied to a dog-fighting operation by a federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia, on Tuesday.

They are charged with conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities, and to sponsor a dog in an animal-fight venture, according to documents from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia.

If convicted on the travel and interstate commerce portion, each faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Conviction on the animal-fighting part of the charges could bring each one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

Of course, Michael Vick is entitled to a fair trial by a jury of his peers, and the best lawyers his not inconsiderable wealth can buy.

Which is a lot more than those dogs will ever get.

UPDATE: This AP report provides plenty of gruesome details. If the allegations prove true and the defendants are convicted, 5 years and a $350,000 fine amounts to a slap on the wrist for this kind of cruelty:

About eight young dogs were put to death at the Surry County home after they were found not ready to fight in April 2007, the indictment said. They were killed "by hanging, drowning and/or slamming at least one dog's body to the ground."