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Aug 17, 2008 12:31 am US/Central
Another Cockfighting Ring Bust In Navarro County
(CBS 11 / TXA 21)
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(File Photo March 2008)
KTVT / KTXA
The SPCA of Texas seized about 150 fighting birds in a Navarro County cockfighting ring bust Saturday afternoon.
An anonymous tip led sheriff officials to the site about 10 miles northwest of Corsicana, where 80-100 people were. The majority of them -- 63 -- were cited for gambling; two were arrested on cruelty to animal charges.
The Navarro County Sheriff's Department discovered the fight and contacted the SPCA of Texas for assistance in transporting and housing the birds. The fight was in progress when the birds were seized and several dead birds also were found during the seize.
Spectators argue that their sport is unfairly targeted.
"It's the same thing they do in horse racing," one spectator argued.
A Sheriff Department official, however, pointed to a barrel full of dead birds and said the sports are not equal.
"The sport is to kill another animal," said Mike Cox with the Navarro Sheriff's Office.
Officials stressed the roosters are bred specifically to fight and generate money. About $16,000 was seized Saturday.
SPCA officials said the living birds will be secured at an unspecified location under armed guard until the disposition hearing, which is schedule to take place during the next 10 days.
In March, nearly 200 people were charged with gambling after officers raided a similar cockfighting operation; this one included bleachers for spectators and even a concession stand.
That raid yielded $170,000 in cash, several guns, drugs and alcohol and about 300 birds, which SPCA officials called the largest seizure of birds it had ever been involved with in Texas.
Cockfighting is a crime in all 50 states and is a felony in Texas punishable by two years in a state jail and/or a $10,000 fine.
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