PLACER COUNTY, Calif. (KTXL) — Multiple birds that were being used for illegal cockfighting in Placerville were saved, according to a Placer County Probation Department Facebook post.
According to the Facebook post, two probation officers, with the help of the Placer County Animal Control, removed multiple birds that were allegedly being used for illegal cockfighting. There were roughly 50 animals that were safely removed from the property.
The couple that owned these birds were court ordered to no longer to possess hens or roosters, the probation department said.
In a statement, Marty Irby the Executive Director at Animal Wellness Action says:
“We applaud the authorizes for taking action and seizing these alleged fighting birds and hope any violators in this case will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Cockfighting runs rampant in California as we’ve seen in case after case over the past few years. This gruesome blood-sport is not only cruel but is a serious risk to both human and poultry health as fighting birds can easily spread Avian Influenza, a disease that has recently appeared in at least 35 states in the U.S. It’s time to stamp out this form of staged cruelty.”
Marty Irby, Animal Wellness Action Executive Director