A suspected cockfighting operation was shut down on the east side of Des Moines after rescuers removed 85 chickens and roosters from a property.
The Animal Rescue League of Iowa (ARL) assisted the Des Moines Police (DMPD) to remove 85 chickens and roosters from a property on the East side of Des Moines.
One man, Mariano Martinez Ramirez has been charged with Felony Animal Contest – Possession of Contest Device (animal fighting paraphernalia), Misdemeanor Types Permitted (excessive animal numbers), and Violation of Probation.
The birds were brought to the ARL’s Second Chance Ranch where they were examined and photographed for evidence in the case. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) were also on-site to test the birds for possible contagious disease.
Animal fighting is a horrible, vicious crime where the animals suffer greatly at the hands of those involved. Because of this, many years ago, the ARL worked with lawmakers to elevate this level of animal cruelty to a felony. Unfortunately, it remains one of the few felony charges for animal crimes in our state.” said Tom Colvin, Executive Director with the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.
In an illegal cockfight, two roosters fight each other to the death while people place bets. Left to themselves, roosters rarely hurt each other badly. In cockfights, on the other hand, the birds often wear razor-sharp blades on their legs and incur injuries like punctured lungs, broken bones and pierced eyes—when they even survive.
This is the fourth large-scale rescue the ARL has assisted authorities with so far this year and the first illegal animal fighting case in more than 7 years.
The rescue organization is asking for donations to help put an end to cockfighting.
