Birds rescued from suspected Van Zandt County cockfighting ring awarded to SPCA of Texas

   

Some roosters appeared lethargic and severely injured with multiple wounds. Among the living roosters, six had to euthanized due to traumatic fighting wounds.

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — Birds seized from a suspected cockfighting ring in Van Zandt County last month were awarded to the SPCA of Texas after a court hearing Friday. 

According to the nonprofit, SPCA of Texas and the Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office found the birds on a rural property in Van Zandt County near Edgewood on Sept. 28. When they arrived, investigators saw a cockfight in progress and the SPCA took custody of 74 birds, including four dead roosters and four live hens and 66 live roosters. 

The live animals were taken to the SPCA of Texas’ Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center in Dallas. On Friday, a Van Zandt County judge officially gave the SPCA of Texas custody of the birds and awarded $4,417.50 in restitution to the SPCA of Texas for the cost of investigation, expert witnesses, housing and care for the animals from the time of the seizure until the hearing was held. 

image

The roosters were found in individual pens and transport boxes all over the property. Several birds were kept in large, wire pens outdoors in a wooded area, while other birds were inside vehicles in transport boxes. Equipment like short knives and gaffs were located as well, the SPCA said. 

A covered arena with a makeshift fighting ring that had bleachers for spectators were spotted at the scene. The investigators also saw several tented holding pens that had blood on them and were littered with feathers. A concession stand was nearby, the news release said. 

Some roosters appeared lethargic and severely injured with multiple wounds. Among the living roosters, six had to euthanized due to traumatic fighting wounds.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains active and deputies are working to pursue potential charges in this case. Those who have information are asked to call the Zandt County Sheriff’s Office at 903-567-4133.

“Cockfighting has been illegal in Texas for decades, but it still runs rampant in our rural and urban areas,” said SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit Chief Investigator Courtney Burns, CAWA. “This blood sport not only results in lethal consequences for the birds engaged in the act, but it breeds other criminal activity such as illegal gambling, drug trafficking and violent crimes. The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office has zero tolerance for these inhumane and dangerous practices and we are proud to partner with them to help keep the community safe. “

————————————————————————————–

CBS19 is available live and on-demand on your favorite TV streaming device, anytime from anywhere in the U.S.

The free CBS19+ app for Roku,Amazon Fire TV,Apple TV and smart TV devices features a 24/7 stream with the latest from CBS19.

In addition to the live stream, watch the latest from CBS19 on-demand, along with additional programming from our partners at TEGNA (like Verify, “Murder at My Door” and “In the News”) and Locked On Sports, plus special collections from CBS19 like Under the Lights, Hooked on East Texas and CBS19 Originals. 

DOWNLOAD ON ROKU

Add the free CBS19 channel by searching for CBS19 East Texas News in the Roku Channel Store on your device, or add the CBS19+ Roku channel using this link.

DOWNLOAD ON FIRE TV

Search for the free CBS19+ app in the Amazon App Store directly on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, or add the CBS19+ Fire TV app using this link.

DOWNLOAD ON APPLE TV

Learn more about the free CBS19+ app in the Apple TV App Store and download directly from your Apple TV device.

DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART TV

The CBS19+ app is also now available directly on “smart” or “connected” televisions made by Samsung, LG and Philips, as well as televisions with Android TV. Search for CBS19 East Texas News in your television’s app store to add CBS19+.

OTHER FREE WAYS TO WATCH

The CBS19+ 24/7 stream can be viewed on any desktop or mobile web browser anytime on the Watch page here on cbs19.tv.

You can also watch CBS19 News streaming live on the free CBS19 mobile app for your smartphone:

  • CBS19 app on iOS in the Apple App Store
  • CBS19 app on Android in the Google Play Store