Cockfighting - 10 birds seized
Reading, PA (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, Jan 6, 2007
County: Berks

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Carlos Mendez, Jr.

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A Reading man accused of running a cockfighting operation in the basement of his house was committed to Berks County Prison on Jan 7 in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Carlos Mendez Jr., 39, of the 400 block of West Oley Street was arraigned before District Judge Deborah P. Lachina in Reading Central Court on a charge of cruelty to animals.

City police said Mendez raised fighting roosters and held cockfights in the basement of the house.

Mendez was arrested Jan 6 night after police and an officer from the Humane Society of Berks County Inc. went to his house acting on a tip.

According to court records:

Mendez told police he had three roosters that he was raising for sale on the Internet.

After the officers heard birds crowing in the basement, they obtained a search warrant from District Judge Thomas M. Gauby Sr.

The officers then found 10 roosters in cages in the basement and an area set up for fighting.

They seized the birds as well as a large quantity of cockfighting paraphernalia, including avian steroids, painkillers and razor-sharp spurs that are attached to the birds' feet.

Case Updates

References

• Reading Eagle - Jan 8, 2007

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