Major Philadelphia cockfighting ring exposed

    SPCA says more than 20 birds were taken from the home in North Philadelphia.

    After months of investigation, officers have broken up a large cockfighting operation in North Philadelphia.

    Pennsylvania SPCA spokeswoman Liz Williamson says humane law enforcement officers recovered more than 20 birds including roosters that were dressed for fighting, as well as hens and chicks.

    “There was a ring in the basement that was approximately six by six, there were coops lining two sides of the basement, there was a weigh-in area for the birds, timing apparatus for the matches, there were also veterinary supplies to treat the birds for minor injuries and things like helping with blood clotting and that sort of thing.”

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    Williamson says in 2009 SPCA officers investigated 836 cases of animal fighting in Philadelphia. Of those about twenty percent were cockfighting investigations. Most of the rest were dog-fighting.

    All the birds are being held as evidence until the case goes to court.

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