Cockfighting - 32 birds seized
Trenton, NJ (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Nov 9, 2006
County: Mercer
Disposition: Not Charged
Abuser names unreleased
Animal control officials seized 32 hens and roosters that were kept inside a vacant warehouse on North Clinton Avenue.
"There is no doubt that the roosters were used for fighting. Their talons were huge and we found antibiotics and medicine used for curing them," said Eric Maldonado, director of the city's bureau of animal control.
Cockfights have become a huge problem in the city, Maldonado said, because the large Hispanic population doesn't realize they are illegal in the United States.
The 16 roosters and 16 hens seized by authorities on Nov 9 were found inside a vacant warehouse on North Clinton Avenue near Mulberry Street by a city employee who was inspecting the site.
Skip Simmins, city director of housing inspections, said he went there to locate the person who was allegedly running the business, but found no one.
As he walked around the complex, he heard a rooster. Simmins thought maybe there was a loose rooster around, "but then I heard another one." Simmins said he followed the sound to a building that was locked. He looked through the window "and there were chickens staring at me."
The birds were being kept in two separate rooms that were closed and protected by heavy locks, according to Maldonado.
"One of the locks was so heavy that we had to call the fire department to open it," he said.
Upon arriving at the warehouse, Maldonado said he found four hens walking freely inside a hay-filled room, presumably the room used as a cockfighting ring.
The rest of the animals were in a separate room inside makeshift cages made of wire loops with heavy items resting on top to keep it closed, he said.
All of the animals seemed to be in good shape and very well taken care of, he said.
"This was our largest bust. In the past we've confiscated two to four hens but never this many," Maldonado said.
The hens were rescued by animal control officials and taken to a farm in Chesterfield off Route 528, Maldonado said.
Since they are trained for fighting, the roosters were too violent and aggressive and had to be taken to Yardville Animal Hospital where they were euthanized, he said.
The roosters were so tough they were "the Mike Tysons of roosters," said Bryain Jenkins, supervisor of the city's bureau of animal control.
"They were fighting us. They were so violent, we just had to put them down," he said.
Authorities were unable to trace the ring of animals back to someone yesterday but Maldonado said it's only a matter of time before they find the person responsible.
"Fortunately for us, since many Spanish people don't know it's illegal (to have the birds), they come here looking for their animals," Maldonado said.
Possessing a hen, rooster or pigeon is dangerous for health reasons and is punishable with a fine of $61 per animal, he said.
In cases of extreme cruelty to animals, aside from facing a hefty fine, the penalty could include jail time, he said.
Neighbors of the 700 block of Mulberry Street, which is located near the warehouse, said they were unaware that roosters and hens were being kept there. References« NJ State Animal Cruelty Map
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