Cockfight in North Philadelphia leads to 21 arrests
Those arrested face felony charges for animal fighting, as well as charges stemming from a bill passed in 2015 that makes possession of animal-fighting paraphernalia a misdemeanor.
Agents from the Pennsylvania SPCA along with Philadelphia Police broke up a cockfight early Saturday morning in Kensington, arresting 21 people and seizing more than 100 birds, alive and dead.
The cockfighting operation, involving roosters and hens, was interrupted about 12:30 a.m. on the 2100 block of East Ann Street, according to a statement by the PSPCA. Cockfighting paraphernalia also was recovered.
Those arrested face felony charges for animal fighting, as well as charges stemming from a bill passed in 2015 that makes possession of animal-fighting paraphernalia a misdemeanor, the PSPCA said.
“Though even the possession of fighting paraphernalia carries a misdemeanor charge, these horrific practices continue to occur in Philadelphia and throughout the state,” said Nicole Wilson, the PSPCA’s director of humane law enforcement. “We hope that by shining a light on this case and bringing the offenders to justice, we can deter the commission of future crimes.”
Any live birds will remain in the custody of the PSPCA until their owners relinquish them or pending resolution by the courts.
Anyone with information about instances of animal cruelty is urged to call the PSPCA’s hotline at 866-601-SPCA, where tips can be left anonymously.