How to Investigate Animal Cruetly in NY State - A Manual of Procedures

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Example 20 - Cock Fighting

The Complaint

An informant notified a city humane society about a large cock fighting ring that held regularly scheduled fights involving approximately 100 fighting cocks.

The Response

  1. The humane society did surveillance and used an undercover investigator to attend a fight.
  2. After verifying that fights were being held, the humane society applied for a search warrant.
  3. On the night of a scheduled fight, the humane society investigators along with officers from the police department, raided the fight. Video footage as well as still photographs were used to document the scene.
  4. The humane society provided vehicles to remove the birds.
  5. Ninety six people were arrested; twelve were charged with felony cock fighting, the rest were charged with misdemeanors.
  6. The birds that were not euthanized were held for evidence.

Charges Brought

The individuals involved were charged with Training Animals to Fight, a (felony) violation of Section 351 of Agriculture and Markets law subsections 2a and 4a.

Supporting Documents Follow