Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Cockfighting - 198 birds seized

Cockfighting - 198 birds seized
Port Hope, ON (CA)

Incident Date: Saturday, Apr 29, 2006
Disposition: Convicted

Abuser/Suspect: Vincente Estampador

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 8300

Classification: Fighting

Animal: chicken

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More than 100 fighting roosters will have to be destroyed after police and humane society officials raided a cockfighting ring north of Port Hope on April 29.

Police say they found "several people" in a barn at the end of a secluded laneway in rural Hope Township, where it is alleged the roosters were fighting to the death, while people wagered on the outcome.

"The investigation is ongoing and there has been no decision on charges," said Det. Const. Lisa McInnis of the Northumberland OPP detachment.

While the Society for the Prevention for Cruelty of Animals has discovered "cock pits" in Ontario before, this is the first instance McInnis can recall in the Northumberland area.

Police took the names and addresses of those who were there and are proceeding with an investigation in co-operation with the SPCA, she said.

The humane agency took over the care of the birds after the raid and they will be euthanized, McInnis said.

The SPCA website says cockfighting is a "cruel sport" that is illegal under the Canadian Criminal Code.

The last cockfight bust in the province took place in 2003.

Case Updates

Following the removal of 198 roosters, Vincente Estampador of Port Hope pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice, Cobourg on April 18, 2007 to causing unnecessary pain and suffering to birds, keeping a cockpit and running an illegal gaming operation under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Ontario SPCA investigators first attended the cockfighting gambling house in Port Hope on April 29, 2006 following a request for assistance from the Northumberland Ontario Provincial Police's (OPP) illegal gaming section regarding an illegal cockfighting ring.

A search of the property revealed 198 roosters in bird boxes and attendee vehicles - several birds had numerous puncture wounds.

In the past decade the Ontario SPCA and police have uncovered numerous cockfighting rings, and many animals have been removed as a result. The injuries inflicted and sustained by animals participating in cockfights are frequently severe, even fatal. Animals who survive a fight often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion or infection, hours, or even days after the fight. To prepare roosters to fight, the natural spurs of the roosters are typically sawed off and replaced by razor sharp steel blades or curved implements called gaffs, which measure from one to three inches long. During the fight, from which neither rooster can escape, the birds peck and maim one another with their beaks and the attached blades and gaffs.

These birds, which are raised for the purpose of fighting, are conditioned and trained to be aggressive. As a result, all 198 roosters removed had to be euthanized.

Vincente Estampador received nine months house arrest, which included three months for causing unnecessary pain and suffering to birds, three months for keeping a cockpit, and three months for running a gaming operation. Estampador also received a two-year prohibition, during which time he can not own or care for birds and other animals, followed by a one-year probation order. He also forfeited over $23,000 in cash and property, which was seized by police.

"Keeping a cockpit on a property is a summary conviction offence under the Criminal Code of Canada. The general penalty of a summary conviction offence allows for a maximum penalty of a $2,000 fine, six months in jail, or both," says Ontario SPCA Senior Inspector, Connie Mallory. "The Ontario SPCA continues to monitor incidents of suspected cockfighting in the province and is working with police and animal control agencies to combat the problem. Additional concerns the Ontario SPCA and police have with cockfighting include the sale and use of illegal drugs at fights; illegal gambling (spectators may spend thousands of dollars wagering on their favourites); and the presence of firearms and other weapons (because of the large amounts of cash present)."

Source: OSPCA Press Release - April 26, 2007
Update posted on Apr 27, 2007 - 2:47AM

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A Port Hope man pleaded guilty to numerous offences last week, after an April, 2006, investigation found him operating a cockfighting gambling house.

Vincente Estampador pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals, keeping a cockpit and keeping a common gaming house and received nine months house arrest, followed by one year probation and a two-year ban from possessing or owning any animal or bird. He also forfeited over $23,000 in cash and property, which was seized by police.

The investigation had been conducted by the Peterborough OPP's illegal gaming section, the provincial assets forfeiture unit and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA).

Source: Northumberland News - April 23, 2007
Update posted on Apr 23, 2007 - 1:14PM

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References

Toronto Star - May 1, 2006

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Cockfighting - 198 birds seizedPort Hope, ON (CA)

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Cockfighting - 198 birds seized
Port Hope, ON (CA)