Cockfighting - 70 to 100 birds seized
Waterbury, CT (US)Incident Date: Saturday, May 14, 2005
County: New Haven
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Abuser names unreleased
An anonymous complaint about an alleged cockfight led to the arrests of about 35 people and the seizure of 75 to 100 roosters, city police said.
Authorities raided a building near downtown on the evening of May 14, leading to a chaotic scene that included a large group of people trying to flee the property and roosters fighting in the streets. A large amount of cash that allegedly was being wagered on the fights, was seized, police said.
Police received the complaint at about 6:45 p.m., said Sgt. Christopher Corbett, a police spokesman. When officers arrived they discovered about 100 people surrounding an arena/ring where two roosters were fighting.
Shortly after police arrived, a large group streamed out the front door on Cherry Street and knocked down an officer, who wasn't injured, Corbett said.
Some of the people fought with police, and a few birds escaped and started fighting outside the building, he said.
Animal control officers were called in to round up the birds.
"We're still in the process of determining what we're going to do with them," Corbett said.
The people arrested were charged with crimes ranging from gambling to cruelty to animals.
Police said they found a makeshift cockfighting ring and blood spots on the first floor of the building. Authorities also said they found a scale used to weigh the birds and plastic fighting spurs, which are attached to a rooster's legs and can tear through feathers and flesh.
Police seized over $70,000 in cash, narcotics, a shotgun, video cameras, fighting spurs for the roosters, vitamins and drugs used to make the roosters stronger and more aggressive, and first aid kits used to treat the injured roosters. References« CT State Animal Cruelty Map
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