honoluluadvertiser.com

Sponsored by:

Comment, blog & share photos

Log in | Become a member
The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:48 p.m., Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Kauai police confiscate 100 roosters in cockfight raid

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

One of the more than 100 roosters seized by Kauai police during a weekend raid on a cockfighting operation.

Kauai Police Department photo

spacer spacer

LIHUE, Kauai — Kauai police raided an illegal cockfight attended by 300 people on a rural property Sunday, as part of an ongoing investigation of illegal gambling.

No arrests were made at the scene, but "several felony and misdemeanor charges are pending review," Police Chief Darryl Perry said in a release.

Police collected as evidence: more than 100 roosters, $70,000 in cash, metal gaffs (blades) attached to the chickens' legs for the fights, and a small amount of marijuana.

Kauai Humane Society Director Becky Rhoades said that 20 roosters confiscated had life-threatening wounds and were euthanized, while 99 remain in custody.

"The significance of this operation cannot be overstated," Perry said in the release. "Illegal gambling has a nexus with drug trafficking, money laundering, domestic violence, and a general decaying of family and community values, not to mention the cruelty and suffering inflicted on these animals. KPD will not relent in our efforts to bring this type of illegal activity to a stop."

Anyone with information about the event, or who wants to claim a confiscated rooster is asked to contact Perry at 241-1600.