Case Details

Cockfighting - up to 75 birds
Sedro Woolley, WA (US)

Date: Aug 25, 2005
County: Skagit
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged

Abuser names unreleased

Case ID: 5461
Classification: Fighting
Animal: chicken
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Skagit County sheriff's deputies on Aug 25 found what they described as eight fighting roosters at a home east of Sedro-Woolley and other evidence that indicates the birds were used for cock fighting.

The roosters were found at a residence in the 27000 block of Duffy Road when deputies were serving a search warrant after a three-day investigation into allegations of cock fighting, sheriff's Chief Deputy Will Reichardt said.

Deputies say they have evidence that leads them to believe as many as 75 birds may have been kept on the property recently. Investigators say they believe that the other birds were moved after the county animal control officer visited the home earlier this week.

As of this morning, no arrests have been made and deputies continued to investigate. Lacking anyplace to take the roosters, deputies had to leave them at the property where they could be looked after.

Cock fighting is illegal in Washington state under the animal fighting statute, Reichardt said. There have been two other similar cases over the past five years with deputies searching residences on Hathaway Road and Peavey Lane, he said.

The birds had trimmed combs and leg spurs, which deputies say is common for birds that have been prepared for fighting, Reichardt said. Additionally, deputies found a number of metal spurs, which are attached to the birds' legs during a fight. The combs are trimmed to prevent the birds' opponents from gripping them.

Although the roosters' instincts make them inclined to fight each other, cock fighting "takes it to an unnatural level," Reichardt said.

In nature, the fight is not usually to the death but until one rooster submits, Reichardt said. In a staged fight, the birds are forced to continue fighting, often to death, he said.

Gambling on the fighting birds also is part of the attraction to the sport, as well as the high value placed on championship birds, Reichardt said.

During the search, deputies also seized books and magazines dedicated to cock fighting, as well as a number of video tapes. The commercial and homemade video tapes included how-to-type instructional videos or "exciting moments in cock fighting."

Reichardt said that the homemade videos have recordings of the suspects staging fights and training their birds.

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References

Skagit Valley Herald - Aug 26, 2005

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