131 birds rescued, 2 found dead at cockfighting ring in Dallas, Texas officials say
.png "Dallas police and workers with the SPCA of Texas rescued roosters and hens from a cockfighting ring. At the Dallas property, many roosters were tied in place by their legs, like the one picture above.")
Authorities in Texas seized 133 roosters and hens from a property in Dallas after receiving a tip about a “cockfight in progress,” officials said.
The Dallas Police Department took the birds from the property on Feb. 12, with help from the SPCA of Texas, the animal welfare organization said in a release.
Police and SPCA workers rescued 123 roosters and 8 hens, the release said. Two roosters found dead at the scene were also seized.
“Roosters were found throughout the property,” the SPCA release said, tied to posts by strings around their legs, and in cages placed in horse stalls.
Several dead birds were found “in various places” at the property, according to the SPCA.
Toward the back of the property, authorities located a plywood pit inside of a shed where the fights were likely held.
Police also found “gaffs,” small blades that are affixed to a fighting bird’s legs. Though relatively small, cockfight participants have been killed by their own birds when wearing the sharp blades.
“Many of the roosters appeared to be lethargic and severely injured with multiple wounds,” the SPCA said. “Other birds were found already deceased, having succumbed to injuries from fighting.”
The surviving birds have been taken to the Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center in Dallas “where they will be evaluated by medical staff and cared for until a civil custody hearing takes place,” the release said.
Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the National Conference of State Legislatures reports.
This story was originally published February 13, 2022 at 1:59 PM with the headline "131 birds rescued, 2 found dead at cockfighting ring in Dallas, Texas officials say."