Cockfighting - 22 birds seized
Santa Cruz, CA (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 28, 2005
County: Santa Cruz
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
On Dec. 28, 2005, 22 birds were confiscated from a neighborhood off Buena Vista Drive.
Deputy Ali Khalil spotted the rows of chicken cages while patrolling Miller Avenue near the airport. "I was turning around and I could see into the backyard. I noticed all the chicken coops and the separate cages with the roosters. I thought it looked like a lot so I called animal control," Khalil said. "The birds were housed individually with clipped combs and spurs, which is typical of fighting animals," McFarland said. "It doesn't appear they were fighting at that location."
The 22 taken last week are being housed in an undisclosed location as evidence in a criminal investigation. The owner was cited for possession of fighting roosters, punishable by six months in jail or a $1,000 fine.
McFarland said fighting cocks often are bred locally and sold to areas where the sport is legal, including Louisiana, Mexico and Puerto Rico. "The birds are armed just above the feet, like our ankle, with a spur that comes out the back. They trim it down and attach a steel gaff or slasher, sharpened like a knife so when it attacks it's able to maim and kill the other bird," McFarland said.
And what is the fate of the 22 birds being held for evidence? When their job in the criminal case is done, they likely will be euthanized. References« CA State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Santa Cruz County, CA
|
