NEILLSVILLE, WI (WSAU) — The Clark County Sheriff’s Office has busted an alleged cockfighting ring.
According to a press release from Humane World for Animals, officers raided a property near Dorchester at 9:00 AM Thursday to find numerous injured or dead roosters and hens along with ” Items consistent with the raising and conditioning of birds for the purposes of fighting.”
More than 160 animals were taken, including some that showed injuries consistent with cockfighting. The birds had little or no access to food and water, and some had been mutilated for the purpose of fighting.
Among the items seized were a bloody transport box, items used to prevent injuries during training, and knives that are attached to the birds during a fight.
No further details, including the names of those believed to be involved and specific charges that they may be facing, were released. Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states and is a felony in all but eight.
Clark County Sheriff Kerry Kim thanked Humane World for Animals, previously known as the Humane Society of the United States, for their assistance in the investigation. The group documented the scene, helped identify items associated with cockfighting, and assisted in handling and removal of the birds.
Due to the risk of spreading infectious diseases such as avian flu to humans and to commercial flocks and a lack of placement options for roosters, the birds seized from this property were humanely euthanized by veterinarians.
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