Cockfighting - 25 birds seized, 6 miore dead
Phoenix, AZ (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Apr 7, 2008
County: Maricopa

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Pedro Reyes Lopez

The Arizona Humane Society has found six dead roosters and dozens of other live ones used for cockfighting in the backyard of a Phoenix home.

Also found at the home were gaffs - steel blades that attach to a rooster's legs.

The homeowner admitted hosting cockfights "for fun," said Denise Cavero-Hann, Humane Society spokeswoman.

Phoenix police identified the suspect as Pedro Reyes Lopez, 39. He was charged with one count of cockfighting, a class five felony however, due to a medical condition, he was not booked into jail.

Phoenix police said they were submitting charges in the case.

Some 25 live roosters living in wooden cages were seized from the home and were going to be euthanized because they were bred for fighting and can't be rehabilitated, Cavero-Hann said.

"It's just a horrible, cruel bloodsport," Cavero-Hann said. "These birds are forced to fight, live in cages, they're given steroids to make them better fighters, and these poor animals have to fight to death. This should not be tolerated."

References

• Fox 11 - April 7, 2008

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