Punishment for men reportedly found with roosters groomed for fighting

Several roosters were recently saved from what is believed to be a cockfighting ring. Police found them by chance after pulling over a car that failed to move over for an ambulance. When an officer approached the car, he reportedly heard bird sounds and saw movement coming from the backseat of the car. Upon further inspection, he found several roosters crammed into laundry bags. Four men are facing charges of animal cruelty, animal fighting, and conspiracy in relation to the case.
Alongside the roosters, officers found cockfighting paraphernalia including files, medical tape, artificial acrylic talons, a block of wax, and and a container of styptic powder, which is used to stop bleeding. The roosters were missing feathers on their necks and chests and had gouges all over their bodies. According to state police spokesman David Procopio, the roosters appear to have been groomed for fighting. The birds were transported to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton, where they will receive medical care and rehabilitation.
Cockfighting can cause serious mental and physical harm. The birds forced to fight can often suffer untreated injuries and can even be thrown away like trash to die slow deaths. According to the Humane Society of the United States, the proceeds from this cruel bloodsport can be used to fund organized crime, such as gambling, drug dealing, illegal gun sales, and murder.
Cockfighting is illegal in all states and the District of Colombia. In order to ensure that no more roosters are subjected to this same barbaric treatment, it is imperative that the accused are punished harshly, if found guilty. Sign the petition below to ask the prosecutor to seek the maximum possible punishment in this case