Cockfighting - hundreds seized
Three Oaks, MI (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Jun 3, 2001
County: Berrien

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: James Standifer

Investigators in Berrien County are trying to decide what to do with hundreds of roosters seized from a suspected cock fighting operation. Police discovered the birds while responding to a loud music complaint.

Animal control officers hauled the roosters to an undisclosed farm. In the meantime, the court will decide whether they will be destroyed or returned to their owner, James Standifer.

Standifer admits to selling birds for fighting
Standifer says he was not home when police interrupted a cock fight in progress on his farm last Sunday. He also denies any knowledge of routine fights taking place on his farm. However, he does not deny selling the birds to people who want to use them solely for fighting.

"That's what these chickens are for. They're for combat, just like fighters. They go in a ring and they beat each other's brains out and win. The same with these chickens. They try to win in a battle," said Standifer.

Standifer says if he wins the court battle, he will continue selling the birds for fighting. But investigators say they are trying to stop this by filing felony charges against Standifer for animal cruelty.

References

• WNDU June 5, 2001

« MI State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Berrien County, MI

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