3,000+ roosters rescued in New York cockfighting bust

2014-03-17 2

Originally published on February 10, 2014

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Authorities rescued more than 3,000 birds in what is being called the largest cockfighting bust in New York state history over the weekend. At least 70 people were taken into custody and nine felony arrests were made, according to the New York Daily news.

The raid included a cockfight in Queens, a pet shop in Brooklyn, and a farm in upstate Plattekill.

Officials disrupted a 70-person event at a cockfight in Queens, which included bettors and spectators of the bimonthly fights, according to the news release. Spectators to the cockfights were required to pay an admission fee to watch the fights. Alcohol sold on premises was done so without a permit and drugs were used openly, according to attorney general's office.

In Brooklyn, officials found some 50 fighting birds in metal cages in the basement of a pet shop called Pet NV. Cockfighting contraband — including artificial spurs, candle wax, medical adhesive tape and syringes used to inject performance-enhancing drugs into the roosters — was also found in the basement.

A 90-acre farm in Plattekill was raided by the Ulster County sheriff's office in cooperation with other local law enforcement and OCTF investigators. The ASPCA recovered up to 3,000 birds that had been bred, trained and given performance-enhancement drugs from the farm. For years, the farm was also reportedly operating as a live poultry farm.

Cockfighting is a crime in all 50 states. In New York, cockfighting and possession of a fighting bird at a fighting location are felonies that carry a maximum sentence of four years in jail and a fine of $25,000.

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