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| This photo is from 2010 cockfighting raid in San Luis Obispo, California. I'm on the left back facing camera. That's Rowdy Shaw and Eric Sakach from HSUS. Michelle is on the right. heartwood haven,cockfighting,animal advocates,rooster,sanctuary,mary cummins,hsus,california,cockfight,los angeles,fighting cocks,rescue, |
I read the Mercy for Animals story about 64 former cockfighting birds being euthanized after rescue groups offered to take them. As someone who was involved in a cockfighting raid with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) National Disaster Animal Rescue Team (NDART) this is a complex issue. Below is from Mercy for Animals an organization which I generally support.
"A plan to move former cockfighting roosters to animal sanctuaries was foiled when deputies in Yakima County, Washington, shot 64 birds awaiting rescue. Authorities reportedly feared that the birds might be moved without authorization if they were left on the property.
Before this horrific killing, Heartwood Haven animal sanctuary co-founder Kate Tsyrklevich and her team worked tirelessly to find the roosters suitable homes. They managed to save more than 40 of the birds and were clearing space on their property for the remaining ones. While waiting for a call from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to proceed with their plans, they were informed that the roosters had been shot and killed."
I don't know the full issue but I know cockfighting birds a little. When I was involved in a raid of over 600 birds then told us they would euthanize them all after the owner relinquished them. All of us volunteers were animal lovers.We all said "can't we rescue them, take them to bird sanctuaries?" They said okay but told us sanctuaries probably would not want them because they will fight for life. In fact while we were logging in the evidence birds one of the sheriff officers accidentally let one go. We started to run after it and HSUS guy said "don't bother. He's not going anywhere." Instantly the bird flew back around and started trying to fight other birds in their enclosures. We easily grabbed him and put him back in his enclosure. Here this bird had a chance to escape to freedom and instead it chose to stay and fight. That's how strong the desire to fight is in these birds. Below is photo of the birds in their enclosures.
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| heartwood haven,cockfighting,animal advocates,rooster,sanctuary,mary cummins,hsus,california,cockfight,los angeles,fighting cocks,rescue, |
They told us when they would euth them which gave us two days to find homes. We all called all the bird and farm rescues in California for 24 hours. They all said they didn't want them because cockfighting birds are very different than regular farm chickens due to years of selective breeding for the fighting trait. They are selectively bred to be perpetually combative. That's all they want to do besides eat. The males will fight for life unless they are in their own separate enclosure. That's why the fighters house them separately, see photos of raid linked above. The females are also more aggressive and have to be separated from regular chickens. Regular chickens are frightened of them. The babies would have to be separated when they come of age.
Two day time limit was up and no one could find a home for a single bird. We're talking experienced rescuers with contacts. I actually had one woman who agreed to take some but she called back and said no after talking to other chicken experts. I'm amazed anyone offered to take the birds. In fact Heartwood Haven who did take 40 birds in this recent situation is now offering them up for adoption. They don't want to keep them because they learned how difficult it is to house them separately. They even stated what I just stated "Heartwood Haven says there is a misconception that fighting roosters might be aggressive, but that is not true. The only caveat being that they can’t be placed with each other or other roosters." This is true. All the cockfighting birds were fine with humans. They just can't be with other birds. That's a big issue on a farm where chickens are generally all housed together. Heartwood Haven's statement proves my point. They said they'd keep the birds in sanctuary and instead are trying to get rid of them. I personally feel they shared this story with the media to get donations and media attention for their nonprofit. I understand as raising funds for nonprofits is difficult but still. I doubt they knew the true nature of fighting cocks when they agreed to take them originally.
Is it humane to house a cockfighting bird for life by itself? It still wants to fight all other birds it sees. It can never run free in a large enclosure. The females must be housed together and not with regular chickens. Regular chickens are frightened of the female cockfighting bred birds. The babies grow up and males will have to be housed alone.
Obviously after the two days we were given to find homes they euthanized all the cockfighting birds. They didn't shoot them which is dangerous for people. The Sheriff officers broke their necks instantly and painlessly. The birds may have had drugs in their systems so they couldn't even be given away for food. I saw the officers afterwards and they all looked pretty sad. No one wants to do that. They actually said we could do it if we wanted to and all the rescuers said NO. Maybe they thought we wanted to make sure it was instant and painless? It wasn't a cruel offer on their part. The Sheriff Officers were nice to us and grateful for our help.
Cockfighting is horribly cruel for so many reasons. It's a difficult situation for officers who have to deal with the birds after the raids. The birds can't be given back to the fighters. They can't go to a regular farm sanctuary and live free. They must be kept for life in solitary confinement while still wanting to fight and kill other birds every day. I personally feel euthanasia is the best option for cockfighting birds unless someone just wants one pet chicken which will be by itself in a huge locked enclosure.
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