- Oct 23, 2010
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Didn't know where else to post this.
(Cedar Hill, TX); March 14, 2011--Under the authority of the Cedar Hill Police Department, the SPCA of Texas seized 1,601 animals--1,000 eggs; 587 fighting roosters, hens and chicks; ten dogs and puppies; 2 rabbits and 2 geese--on Monday, March 14, 2011, from 551 Knight St. in Cedar Hill, TX. The bodies of two roosters that appeared to have died from fighting were also found.
The majority of the roosters, hens and chicks were being housed in makeshift cages and hutches that were lined up as far as the eye could see, packing the back half of the property. Some were running loose on the property, some were running loose inside a house and many others were housed in pens in a barn. Eggs were found both inside the house on the property in incubators (about 400 of the eggs) and outside in various roosting containers (about 600 eggs). Eight of the dogs and puppies were roaming the property and two dogs were found in pens next to the barn. The rabbits were in enclosures inside the barn and geese were found in pens.
Further, the birds' water was contaminated with feces and there was no food in the enclosures.
The animals were transported to a secure location, where they are being cared for under armed guard until the custody hearing, which will be held on Tuesday, March 22 at the Municipal Court at the Cedar Hill Government Center located at 285 Uptown Blvd. in Cedar Hill, TX. The birds that survived the fight will be treated by SPCA of Texas medical staff.
To view photos of the scene, visit http://www.spca.org/rooster031411.
The Cedar Hill Police Department received an anonymous tip from a concerned citizen on Sunday, March 13 that a cockfight was in progress. After securing the scene, the Cedar Hill Police department called the SPCA of Texas for assistance with the birds.
"This is the largest-scale rooster seizure that we've been involved in," said Ann Barnes, Sr. Vice President of Operations for the SPCA of Texas. "Cockfighting is a brutal, horrific, illegal activity that, sadly, occurs all over the state of Texas. We're thankful to the Cedar Hill Police Department for sending a strong message that this criminal activity will not be tolerated in their city."
Cockfighting is a crime in all 50 states, including Texas, where it is a felony, punishable by two years in a state jail and/or a $10,000 fine. It is a felony in 35 states and the District of Columbia and a misdemeanor in 15 states. Since 2002, a federal law has prohibited any interstate or foreign transport of fighting animals.
If the SPCA of Texas is awarded custody of the animals, they would be individually evaluated for potential placement on a case by case basis.
To help the SPCA of Texas fund future efforts like this and to support the SPCA of Texas' other programs and services, please visit http://www.spca.org/helptheanimals. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, please visit our website at http://www.spca.org.
I'll post updates as I get them. I thought that I'd alert you guys to this case incase some of the members in this area are interested in adopting.
(Cedar Hill, TX); March 14, 2011--Under the authority of the Cedar Hill Police Department, the SPCA of Texas seized 1,601 animals--1,000 eggs; 587 fighting roosters, hens and chicks; ten dogs and puppies; 2 rabbits and 2 geese--on Monday, March 14, 2011, from 551 Knight St. in Cedar Hill, TX. The bodies of two roosters that appeared to have died from fighting were also found.
The majority of the roosters, hens and chicks were being housed in makeshift cages and hutches that were lined up as far as the eye could see, packing the back half of the property. Some were running loose on the property, some were running loose inside a house and many others were housed in pens in a barn. Eggs were found both inside the house on the property in incubators (about 400 of the eggs) and outside in various roosting containers (about 600 eggs). Eight of the dogs and puppies were roaming the property and two dogs were found in pens next to the barn. The rabbits were in enclosures inside the barn and geese were found in pens.
Further, the birds' water was contaminated with feces and there was no food in the enclosures.
The animals were transported to a secure location, where they are being cared for under armed guard until the custody hearing, which will be held on Tuesday, March 22 at the Municipal Court at the Cedar Hill Government Center located at 285 Uptown Blvd. in Cedar Hill, TX. The birds that survived the fight will be treated by SPCA of Texas medical staff.
To view photos of the scene, visit http://www.spca.org/rooster031411.
The Cedar Hill Police Department received an anonymous tip from a concerned citizen on Sunday, March 13 that a cockfight was in progress. After securing the scene, the Cedar Hill Police department called the SPCA of Texas for assistance with the birds.
"This is the largest-scale rooster seizure that we've been involved in," said Ann Barnes, Sr. Vice President of Operations for the SPCA of Texas. "Cockfighting is a brutal, horrific, illegal activity that, sadly, occurs all over the state of Texas. We're thankful to the Cedar Hill Police Department for sending a strong message that this criminal activity will not be tolerated in their city."
Cockfighting is a crime in all 50 states, including Texas, where it is a felony, punishable by two years in a state jail and/or a $10,000 fine. It is a felony in 35 states and the District of Columbia and a misdemeanor in 15 states. Since 2002, a federal law has prohibited any interstate or foreign transport of fighting animals.
If the SPCA of Texas is awarded custody of the animals, they would be individually evaluated for potential placement on a case by case basis.
To help the SPCA of Texas fund future efforts like this and to support the SPCA of Texas' other programs and services, please visit http://www.spca.org/helptheanimals. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, please visit our website at http://www.spca.org.
I'll post updates as I get them. I thought that I'd alert you guys to this case incase some of the members in this area are interested in adopting.
