More Than 300 Birds Seized From Alleged Cock Fighting Operation
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Rescuers brought more than 300 roosters, hens, and chicks to an undisclosed warehouse in Dallas after a raid on an alleged cockfighting operation in Angelina County.
Due to the large number of birds seized, law enforcement called the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal (SPCA) of Texas for assistance. The Dallas non-profit picked-up the birds and planned to hold them until a custody hearing which was set for Friday, May 1st in Lufkin.
The Angelina County Sheriff's Office detained twenty people. Several were arrested and face charges for cock fighting and possession gambling paraphernalia.
"It's always hard for me to know that these birds were born and raised to fight each other to the death," said Maura Davies of the SPCA. Davies pointed out many of roosters seized had their combs and wattles cut off. She said that is a sign they were being trained to fight. She said, "The hardest part for me is that -- for these beautiful animals -- their future is bleak."
Davies said the ones that are excessively aggressive will likely have to be put down.
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