Rachel Mack
A cockfighting ring was uncovered yesterday on the 2800 block of North Lee Street in the Fairhill section of North Philadelphia. Investigators noticed some birds outside a nearby house while conducting a separate investigation.
PSPCA and Philadelphia police officers responded to the scene yesterday afternoon with a search warrant for the property. The operation was uncovered shortly thereafter. Fourteen of the 36 birds found were in fighting condition with their chests shaved.
The most interesting part of the story was what George Bengal from the Pennsylvania SPCA had to say:
There’s quite a bit of money to be made. It usually doesn’t rise to the level of dogs, but it comes pretty close – especially with an operation like this. These birds are some quality fighting birds. If I had to guess, a lot of these were probably imported from Puerto Rico.
Investigators are questioning two of the adults associated with the cockfighting ring. They are both at risk of being charged with 14 felonies.
6abc published the below segment on their site:
This is no suprise. If you anywhere in the Kensington/Fairhill area around 6am,you hear the roosters going nuts. Can’t believe this is the first time I’ve heard about a bust.
We have some big cockfighting matches on the Jersey side the 1st Saturday of every month – huge crowds.