Over the weekend, police in LaGrange County confiscated 87 birds from a private residence, and arrested three people for the promotion of animal fighting.
For some in LaGrange County, the apparent discovery of a large scale operation that allegedly raised chickens for the sole purpose of fighting was an eye opening experience.
"I had no idea, had no idea at all, it's new to me,� said Terri Hill with LaGrange County Animal Control.
�It makes me sick, I love animals and I don�t ever like to hurt anything and to have to go through this.� Hill was talking about the need to euthanize about 30-fighting roosters found on the grounds.
About 50-other birds that were confiscated on the grounds are alive and well. They were hens or roosters who were too young to fight. They were rescued and relocated.
The investigation began Saturday when an Indiana State Police Trooper made a traffic stop and noticed roosters in the vehicle.
Information gathered during the stop lead police to a residence at 7050 E. 250 N. near Mongo.
26-year old Alejandro Nieves-Monoz was listed as living at the address.
He was arrested on a felony charge of the promotion of animal fighting.
Also arrested were 46-year old David Rodriguez and 22- year old Polo Anicua Viera, both of Angola.
All three managed to shock some in a community that thought it was pretty familiar with all kinds of farming.
"We know it goes on,� said Sheriff Terry Martin. "Its one of those things, we get tips, we go there, and it's already gone. This is the first time a tip panned out and we was able to get a larger operation."
Police believe they arrived on the property shortly after a cock fighting event. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References | WNDU - July 16, 2007 |
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