Roosters Seized in Raid
Posted/updated on: February 21, 2011 at 12:23 pm
TYLER (AP/STAFF) — The Humane Society of the United States provided information to the Smith County Sheriff’s Department that led to a cockfighting raid in Tyler. A news release issued Saturday says that authorities seized 44 roosters and detained about 20 people on Friday night. Many of the people were released without being charged because Texas is one of only six states where it’s legal to attend a cockfight, possess birds for cockfighting or possess cockfighting weapons.
John Goodwin, with the Humane Society of the United States says those who stage cockfights “take roosters, they tie knives to their legs, they give them adrenaline boosting drugs, and they have them fight to the death. Just so a bunch of people can sit around and gamble on which one’s gonna kill the other. It was just a bloody and cruel spectacle.” Of the 44 roosters seized, 6 were seriously injured and had to be put down.
The Humane Society says it supports a bill by state Rep. Wayne Christian, R-Center, that would close loopholes in existing law. The organization offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to arrest and conviction of anyone involved in illegal animal fighting.
