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February 11, 2014

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Cockfight takedown biggest in NY history

More than 3,000 birds were rescued in a cockfighting raid in New York at the weekend that resulted in nine arrests, NY authorities said.

On Sunday night, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said it was the largest cockfighting raid in New York state and among the largest in US history.

“Operation Angry Birds” simultaneously targeted locations in Queens, Brooklyn and Ulster County with assistance from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Ulster County sheriff’s office, Schneiderman said.

“Cockfighting is a cruel, abusive and barbaric practice that tortures animals, endangers the health and safety of the public and is known to facilitate other crimes,” Schneiderman said.

At the cockfights, spectators were charged admission fees and placed bets on the fights, with individual wagers reaching US$10,000.

In Queens, a cockfighting event was raided and 70 people taken into custody. The ASPCA took control of 65 fighting birds.

In Brooklyn, a pet shop was raided where 50 fighting birds were rescued. The shop owner was arrested on a felony charge and cockfighting contraband, including spurs and syringes used to inject performance enhancing drugs, were also found.

Authorities also raided a 90-acre farm in Plattekill, rescuing 3,000 birds.

In New York, cockfighting and possession of a fighting bird at a cockfighting location each carry a maximum penalty of four years in jail and a fine of up to US$25,000.

 




 

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