Birds raised for fighting - 250-300 roosters Olive Township, MI (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 15, 2007 County: Clinton Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Charges: Felony CTA Alleged: Charles DeSander, Jr.

Case ID: 12089 Classification: Fighting Animal: chicken View more cases in MI (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Clinton County man, arrested last week and accused of raising and training hundreds of roosters for cockfights, may have intended to sell the birds out of state and out of the country, officials said Monday.

Charles DeSander Jr., of Olive Township, faces felony charges related to raising animals for fighting and possessing equipment intended for fighting.

He is free on a $50,000 bond.

Olive Township is south of St. Johns.

"Everyone knew he was raising birds for fighting," said Township Supervisor Earl Banks. "He was growing them here and using them elsewhere."

DeSander did not return several messages seeking comment. He is expected to be arraigned next week. He faces up to four years in prison.

"We believe he was breeding fighting roosters," said Michigan State Police Detective Sgt. Jeffery Yonker.

It is the first cockfighting case investigated by the agency's major case team in at least five years, Yonker said.

Police last Wednesday raided DeSander's home and deer-processing business - at 2525 W. Price Road and 2571 W. Price Road - and found between 450 and 500 birds, Yonker said.

About 250 to 300 are roosters.

Yonker said there is no evidence fights took place on the properties.

The birds remain on the property. As part of DeSander's bond conditions, he must maintain the birds and submit to unannounced inspections.

He cannot sell them or give them away.

Investigators found evidence of items used in cockfights, including small knives and gaffs, which resemble small ice picks, that are attached to the birds' legs.

Training items investigators found include:

* Cotton ball-like "sparring muffs," which are placed over the roosters' natural spurs so they can practice fighting without injuring each other

* Stuffed roosters attached to sticks

* Medication that can reduce lactic acid buildup in muscles to combat fatigue and cramping

Experts say firearms and other weapons are common at cockfights, and there is a connection between cockfighting and the distribution of illegal drugs.

Winnings from cockfights can be from $8,000 to $65,000, depending on the number of participants, officials said. There is usually an entry fee.

"There are some who say this is not a cruelty to animals issue," Yonker said.

"Obviously, we feel differently about that."

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References

Battle Creek Enquirer - Aug 21, 2007

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