As many as 3,000 roosters were found and 70 people were taken into custody as authorities raided cockfighting operations that spanned Queens, Brooklyn and upstate Ulster County. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced that his office's Organized Crime Task Force "executed the largest cockfighting takedown in New York State history." The operation was called "Operation Angry Birds."
A number of groups worked with the AG's office: The ASPCA, the Ulster County Sheriff's Office (for physical surveillance), the Department of Homeland Security (for local aerial surveillance) and NY State Police. On Saturday night, the OCTF, NY State Police and a branch of Homeland Security raided a cockfighting event in Queens. The AG's office said, "The 70-person event, including bettors and spectators, was busted up. Six of those people, who had brought and fought birds, were charged with felony Prohibition of Animal Fighting. The others were released. The ASPCA took control of 65 fighting birds. The ring had been operating bimonthly events there since at least May, when the OCTF first began monitoring cockfighting at this location."
They also raided a Bushwick pet shop, where 50 fighting birds were found: "The roosters, found in poor condition, had been kept inside individual metal cages and exhibited all the physical hallmarks of having been bred, trained, and altered for fighting. Cockfighting contraband and implements were found within the basement, including artificial spurs, candle wax, medical adhesive tape, syringes used to inject performance-enhancing drugs to strengthen the roosters’ fighting ability and other cockfighting implements and paraphernalia." In addition to the roosters, other animals, like hamsters, finches, rabbits and snakes, were seized. The store's owner, Jeremias Nieves, was arrested and charged with Prohibition of Animal Fighting.
Yesterday morning, the OCTF conducted a raid at a 90-acre farm in Plattekill, where they found about 3,000 birds. It was apparently operating "under the guise of a live poultry farm, and its owners hid thousands of makeshift cages within the center of the property to avoid detection by neighbors and law enforcement." Many of the roosters showed signs of starvation. Apparently, the farm's owner housed the roosters for what the ASPCA called "blood sport enthusiasts." The farm manager, Manuel Cruz, 60, and Jesus Cruz, 37, a farm hand, were arrested.
Schneiderman said, "Cockfighting is a cruel, abusive and barbaric practice that tortures animals, endangers the health and safety of the public and is known to facilitate other crimes. My office, along with our partners in law enforcement and animal welfare, are committed to ending this vicious blood sport. This investigation—one of the largest in U.S. history—illustrates the prevalence of cockfighting in America, its brutal nature and the link to other illegal activities."
ASPCA president Matthew Bershadker added, "No animal should be forced to fight to the death, and we’re proud to play a leading role in removing and caring for these victimized birds... This collaborative act of investigation, intervention and enforcement is a giant step toward our shared goal of wiping out cockfighting in America."
