NEWALLA, Okla. (KFOR) – A Oklahoma couple is facing nearly five-dozen charges for their alleged roles in cockfighting.
“I am horrified by the idea of staged fights between animals,” said Wayne Pacelle, the President of Animal Wellness Action. “Cockfighting is barbaric.”
According to an incident report, the McLoud Police Department arrested Ellie Grino for driving under the influence in April. During the arrest, an officer noticed fighting spurs as well as wooden transport boxes for roosters inside Grino’s car.
The report says Grino told deputies he had roosters “used for fighting.”
Authorities then went to Grino’s home in Newalla and spoke to his wife Jannine Yee. That’s when officers confirm they found a large number of roosters tied to stakes in the backyard and alerted Animal Welfare.
“We were able to obtain a warrant for the property in question,” said Jon Gary, the Superintendent of Oklahoma City Animal Welfare. “There was, in fact, evidence of cockfighting.”
According to Gary, 93 birds were found at the home in addition to cockfighting paraphernalia.
“Things like knives and gaffs,” said Gary. “The evidence on the birds themselves, they were trimmed similar to how birds that are used for cockfighting are trimmed.”
Police officials say combined the couple is facing nearly 60 counts related to cockfighting. Those charges, filed this week, include possession of birds with the intent to engage in a cock fight, cruelty to animals and keeping a place equipment or facility to be used in permitting cockfighting.
Pacelle says he hopes to see more of these arrests happen throughout the state.
“These cockfighting yards with tiny birds are all over Oklahoma. We need more of this enforcement,” said Pacelle. “The only way this stops is if people get punished for exhibiting cruelty to animals.”