About 500 Chickens Seized From 2 Farms
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Sites Suspected of Being Cockfighting Operations
Originally published at 11:35 a.m., December 17, 2008
Updated at 9:26 p.m., December 17, 2008
Authorities in Loudoun County have seized about 500 chickens from two farms in the Lovettsville area suspected of being cockfighting operations and where roosters were found tethered, caged and with body parts amputated, according to county officials and court records.
On Sunday, Loudoun County Animal Care and Control officers seized more than 400 roosters and hens from a residence in the 38000 block of Sierra Lane. The next day, about 100 fowl were seized at a nearby property in the 12000 block of Berlin Turnpike after a tip that game birds were being fought on the property, according to officials and court records.
It is unclear whether the two operations are related, and no charges have been filed, officials said. A veterinarian examined the birds yesterday, and a judge will determine tomorrow whether the owners can retain custody of the birds.
Photo Gallery
Chickens Seized at Lovettsville Property
A Loudoun County Animal Control van is parked outside a barn at one of the properties in the Lovettsville area where chickens were seized. It is believed the chickens were used in animal fighting. (Tracy A. Woodward)
Loudoun County Animal Control officials at one of the properties in the Lovettsville area where chickens were seized. It is believed the chickens were being used in animal fighting. (Tracy A. Woodward)
Loudoun County Animal Control officials at one of the properties in the Lovettsville area where chickens were seized. The chickens were believed to be used in animal fighting. The man on left, not in uniform, identified himself as the brother of the property owner. (Tracy A. Woodward)
A chicken walks on property in Lovettsville where chickens, believed to be used in animal fighting, have been seized. (Tracy A. Woodward)
Loudoun County Animal Control officials at one of the properties in the Lovettsville area where chickens were seized. it is believed the chickens were being used in animal fighting. (Tracy A. Woodward)
If charges are brought, the cases would represent the largest seizure of animals connected to animal fighting in Virginia since harsher laws against the practice took effect Oct. 1 in the wake of the Michael Vick dog fighting scandal, said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States. The new laws prohibit the housing of animals with the intent to use them for fighting, regardless of whether gambling is connected, and animal fighting can now be prosecuted as a felony, said Goodwin, who lobbied for the measures.
"We're talking about a felony blood sport where animals are set against each other just so gamblers can see which animal will kill the other first," Goodwin said. "They're wearing knives. They're slashing each other to pieces, and it's just for titillation."
Loudoun Commonwealth's Attorney James E. Plowman said his office is in talks with animal control officials and will decide whether to bring charges in both cases after tomorrow's hearing.
"It appears at first glance that he's breeding them for purposes of fighting," Plowman said of the occupant of the Sierra Lane property, the larger operation. "From what I understand, he's selling them for over $1,000 a piece. . . . These aren't regular roosters you're going to find on Farmer John's farm."
A man who answered the door at the gated Sierra Lane site, where roosters could be heard crowing, declined to comment.
At the Berlin Turnpike residence — where a large statue of a rooster sat prominently in the front yard — a man who identified himself as the brother of the property owner said the chickens were used only for their eggs and for a "hobby," not for fighting.
38000 block of Sierra Lane
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Jason Faw said that roosters were found tethered to barrels spaced apart to keep the fowl from attacking each other and that the body parts of some had been clipped in apparent preparation for fighting.
Although in county custody, the animals have remained at both properties under supervision of animal control officers because the county's animal shelter is not equipped to handle that many birds, animal control spokeswoman Laura Rizer said. Rizer declined to discuss specifics in the cases. The seizure at the Sierra Lane property resulted from an anonymous tip, too, and the site has been under investigation by animal control since early summer, Rizer said.
According to a search warrant affidavit, the tip about the Berlin Turnpike residence also said a fight was scheduled for Monday night. After the search, court records show, officers recovered several items that Goodwin said are common to the cockfighting world, including four "training mitts" — miniature boxing gloves placed on the animals to test their strength in mock fights — antibiotics, trophies, and gamecock books and magazines. Red wax string was also found, which Goodwin said is often used to tie blades to the animals before fights.
Goodwin said he visited the Sierra Lane property about eight months ago, after getting an anonymous tip about poor conditions for animals there. He said that from the road, he observed several tethered roosters and that there were far more roosters than hens, both of which he called signs of a cockfighting operation.
Roosters used for cockfighting are typically come from an aggressive breed, which necessitates separating them on a farm, Goodwin said.
Staff writer Kafia Hosh contributed to this report.
Tagged: animals, Loudoun Animal Care/Control, Loudoun Sheriff's Office, Lovettsville
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Jail
Posted by themajesticbygwen (anonymous) on December 17, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why didn't they identify the "alleged" miscreants? And is the cockfighting community so large in Loudoun that two operations in such close proximity to each other might NOT be 'related'?
Posted by WilyArmadilla (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wouldn't rush to judgement. They don't sound like they're caring for the birds in a way that's best for the birds. But anyone in this area knows about "anonymous" tips. What to keep some minivan mommy in her McMansion from concocting this scenario in her head. It happens all the time - the suburban gossip/hysteria meets rural areas. I'm not saying cockfighting isn't possible. I'm just saying they should be cautious about "anonymous" complaints. However, I do find the quip about "eggs" a bit funny - given the focus on roosters.
Posted by mwcob (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with "WilyArmadilla (anonymous)" -- why didn't they identify them?
What I wonder is if these alleged cockfighters will get crucified by the press in the same way Michael Vick did? Yes ... he was absolutely wrong. Yes ... what he did to those poor dogs was horrible (I'm a dog lover). However, if the press is going to nail one to the cross, why not do it to all who are found guilty?
Posted by luvmynaturalhair (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mwcob, correct on innocent until proven guilty, but why not extend the same thought process to the tipster?
Automatic assumption that it's a "minivan mommy" colliding with bucolic bliss tends to give the lie to your correct reminder on guilt and process.
It could be just as likely that a neighboring self-identified "country squire" was disgusted at the appearance of illegal game fighting and animal abuse masquerading as a farm (and maybe getting a tax deferral as one? leading to reporting by a legitimate rural entrepreneur? the speculative possibilities are endless).
Posted by BarbaraMunsey (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Loudoun's chickensssss. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. are coming home to roooooooooost!
Posted by SkinsDiesel (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I sincerely hope there were no choked chickens ...
Posted by OhTheHumanity (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Didn't the headline writer learn in journalism school that you never use a single digit numeral in a headline?
Posted by senatorblbo (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder if the BOS thought of taxing this activity?
Posted by Funnyguyva (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
funnyguy, it is entirely possible that its taxes are deferred if it's listed as an egg farm.
It could also be providing "open space".
Posted by BarbaraMunsey (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 12:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by janetleslie (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 1:37 p.m.
luvmynaturalhair - as I recall, Michael Vick was crucified in the press long before he was convicted. It seems that dogs are more <important/cute> than roosters, hence the outcry in that case and the dull thud of 'who cares' in this one.
Posted by teden (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ever seen an industrial chicken farm? The 500 Loudoun chickens would probably prefer a trim and a fight than living in a shoe box.
Hope the above animal lovers buy free range chicken at the market.
Posted by dfhaines (anonymous) on December 18, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the only appropriate punishment for people who engage in animal fights - those who breed the animals, house them, or attend the fights for "fun" - is to force each to engage in a fight to the death with another animal fighting fan. the county should set up a 6' x 6' caged enclosure, strip the individuals nude, attach blades to their hands and feet and have them go at it to the death. those who refuse to fight should be prodded. the fights should be attended by fellow animal fighting fans, who in turn will be set up in fights of their own. last man standing can be electrocuted or drowned, as vick did to his dogs. this is the only appropriate punishment for such disgusting losers who entertain themselves with the pain of others.
Posted by markdino (anonymous) on December 20, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
markdino you talk like these chickens or people "with the pain of others your words" you do understand that a chicken has a brain the size of a BB they would show you no mercy if one came upon you wounded and couldn't defend yourself.. i can guarantee they would peck you to the bone... you see a animal is not capable of rational thought of any kind all animals or pure en stink.. all animals where put here for a purpose.. yes a gamecock will fight no matter what a person does to it are how they raise it.. it will fight.. even your farm variety roosters will fight each other are we going to call that cockfighting to.. these gamecocks have been around for 2500 yrs are all you animal lovers prepared to do away with a beautiful animal species altogether , because that is the only way to stop them from fighting.. get real it is just a stupid chicken lets spend our city and state money putting away criminals that commit crimes on real victims..
Posted by jpzickefoose (anonymous) on December 31, 2008 at 12:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I've read hundreds of these anti-cockfighting comments and every few articles someone will write in and say that gamefowl owners should be made to strip naked and be forced to fight in a confined close quartered area,damn you people are some warped individuals!
Gamefowl love to fight and live to fight, thats why you will at times see the winning bird (tread) or assume the mating position on top of their beaten opponent, atleast with feathers you're still rated PG,maybe R at most,,,however you Animal rights idiots can have the 2 men fighting naked deal with knives attached,,,i'll just keep my memories of many a good rooster fight from years gone bye....
Posted by buyncars2 (anonymous) on June 4, 2009 at 9:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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