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ARCHIVED - Almeria man arrested for running illegal cockfighting ring
The police in the Andalucía province discovered 51 caged birds, many badly injured
The National Police in Almeria have arrested a young man accused of running a cockfighting ring after 51 fighting birds were discovered in a warehouse on Calle San Joaquín, in the Pescadería-La Chanca neighbourhood.
Officers were notified that an illegal cockfight was in session and when they arrived on the premises they found a pen surrounded by metal seats, and next to it were 16 roosters in cages. One of the birds lay dying from several injuries that had been inflicted on its head and body. A total of 11 spectators were in attendance, three of them minors, and all have been fined for illegal gambling.
On searching the premises, the police located a total of 51 roosters and eight hens, three of which were seriously injured, a notebook with punter’s names and the amount they had bet on the fights, a scale for weighing the birds and a glass jar containing several hardened nails, presumably to be attached to the animals' talons for fighting.
The caged birds all had their combs cut, their legs shaved and their spurs sharpened. The remains of feathers and fresh blood were clearly visible on the ground and in the fighting ring. All the animals were taken to a vet where two of the worst injured later died.
A 26-year old man was arrested for an alleged crime of animal abuse.
Incredibly, cockfighting is actually allowed in Andalucía, but only official members are permitted under very controlled regulations and the law does not allow the amputation of crests, sharpening spurs or shaving belly feathers and legs.
Images: Policía Nacional
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