What’s next for chickens rescued from SC cockfighting ring?
State and local agencies are working together to figure out what to do with more than 100 chickens rescued in Chesterfield County.
After deputies busted a major cockfighting ring on Mother’s Day, Channel 9′s Tina Terry went behind the scenes to see how the bust is impacting local resources.
The chickens were settling into their new home Tuesday behind Chesterfield County’s animal shelter. A staff of just two people told Terry they’re working for hours every day to feed the birds and, perhaps most importantly, to keep them away from each other.
PREVIOUS: 43 arrested in Chesterfield County cockfighting bust, deputies say
“They’re bred and raised to fight, and they’re not pretty because they put sharp razors on the chickens,” Chesterfield County Sheriff Cambo Streater said.
Streater said the cruel sport is big business. This weekend’s cockfighting event drew participants from the Carolinas, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, and Georgia. Attendees were charged for entry and paid up to $1,000 to fight.
38 people were charged with cockfighting. Officers seized more than $13,000 and rescued about 112 chickens.
“Generators are for the trailers. Trailers had air conditioners, climate control,” Streater said.
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Streater showed Terry some of the other items seized.
“We have some drugs, vitamins, and steroids that were for the chickens to make them stronger,” he said.
The chickens escaped brutal deaths, and Streater is warning others not to bring the abuse to his county.
“It’s illegal,” he said. “It’s illegal for a reason because it is cruelty to animals.”
South Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services is working with local officials to find a place to send the chickens. For now, they’ll remain at the animal shelter.
(PREVIOUS: 43 arrested in Chesterfield County cockfighting bust, deputies say)
