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

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. 

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. “

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