PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police in Chester, Delaware County, arrested 25 people for their alleged involvement in an active cockfight over the weekend.
Officers received a tip about a cockfight at a home on Franklin Street, near Concord Avenue, on Saturday evening.
Officers interrupted the fight and found 52 live chickens and three dead roosters.
“Multiple roosters had gaffes attached and were dressed for the purposes of fighting,” said Nicole Wilson, PSPCA director of animal law enforcement and shelter operations. "There were cages set up inside, there was a timer for the individual bouts, and an area for weighing the birds.”
Wilso said there was food and drinks, and a large number of people in attendance; just attending a cockfight is a felony.
“So there are going to be felony charges. Additionally, there may be charges, relative to two children who were inside the location at the time of the rooster fight as well.”
The chickens were taken to the Pennsylvania SPCA headquarters in North Philadelphia for treatment. The birds will remain there as the investigation continues. Wilson said one bird had such severe injuries that it had to be euthanized.
“Cockfighting is one of the most brutal forms of animal cruelty; these birds are forced to fight to near death one cut at a time, suffering devastating injuries in the process,” Wilson said in a statement.
Authorities recovered 52 live chickens and three dead roosters
Authorities recovered 52 live chickens and three dead roosters
