Dozens of small makeshift huts were recently found on a rural property in Iowa. Some were little conical hovels; others, overturned water tanks and chemical barrels with holes cut out of them. Inside each was a solitary rooster tethered to the enclosure. The only water accessible to the birds was in slimy, debris-filled bowls. Other roosters, hens and their chicks roamed among these structures. Many of the birds were missing their combs and waddles. These are the signs of a cruel, illegal industry: cockfighting.
While it does not appear that cockfights were conducted on the property, over 400 roosters and chickens were present on the scene when our Animal Rescue Team arrived last week. Authorities suspect these birds were being bred and sold for the purpose of cockfighting. The Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office requested our help after forming a connection with members of our team at a recent law enforcement training on large-scale animal cruelty cases that we conducted in June.
In cockfighting, roosters are forced to fight to the death. Cockfighters attach razor-sharp blades to the birds and watch as their eyes and bodies are punctured, sliced and gored. Spectators bet on the animals’ will to survive, for gambling and entertainment.
