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Case #9136 Rating: 5.0 out of 5
Animal fighting - 66 birds, 6 pit bulls seized
Tucson, AZ (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jun 23, 2006
County: Pima
Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Richard McDaniels
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Dozens of roosters belonging to a suspected cockfighting operation have been rescued from two homes on Tucson's south side.
Pima County deputies removed more than 60 roosters and chickens, along with a half dozen pit bulls from the homes, both located in the 9600 block of South Nogales Highway.
Detectives say it's no coincidence that it's the same area where an officer-involved shooting occurred last Monday.
During that investigation, deputies discovered evidence of the alleged cockfighting operation.
Detective Mike Duffey with the Pima County Sheriff's Department explains, "A deputy asked the people that live there what the poultry were there for. They admitted to some illegal acts."
Detectives say the illegal acts took place inside a trailer where they confiscated dozens of birds.
"We found fighting knives for the rooster's feet, some ordering catalogs for poultry-type animals and some fight DVDs that reference poultry fighting," said Detective Duffey.
Richard McDaniels, age 23, who lives on the property, was charged with one count of animal cruelty and could face more charges.
The Pima County Animal Task Force also took away 6 pit bulls from the property.
Detectives say they were tied up and malnourished.
Nearly two dozen more roosters were confiscated from another trailer right next door.
The man who lives there was not charged, but authorities say that could change.
Between the two locations, a total of 66 birds were confiscated.
Whether or not the birds go back to their owners depends on a judge's decision.
"The owner will have to post a bond to get the animals back after a judge decides whether or not they are eligible to get them back," says Kim Janes with the Pima Animal Care Center.
The health conditions of all the animals will be evaluated by veterinarians.
Detectives say that if there are any diseases detected, the entire flock will be euthanized.
While cock fighting and dog fighting may seem out of the ordinary, it's not.
Detective Duffey says," Blood sports are very common in Pima County as well as all across the Southwest."
Case Updates| Richard McDaniels, 23, pled guilty to 5 counts of misdemeanor animal cruelty on December 14, 2006 in Pima County Court. He also pled to one felony count, "open ended", meaning that if he complies with all of the conditions of his probation, the felony may be dismissed or reduced to a misdemeanor at a later date. During his 3-year probation, among other conditions, he will be prohibited from owning any animals. | Source: Docket # CR2006-2564
Update posted on Jan 23, 2007 - 6:28PM |
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