Fight organizers arrested in the US...

The Alabama State Police have charged seven residents of the town of Verbena with animal cruelty and organizing cockfights.

Law enforcement found that the defendants held cockfights for more than three years in an arena that had several rings and seated 150 people. The organizers also bred and sold birds to participate in fights until the death of one of the animals.

If found guilty, each faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

“Today’s arrests by federal authorities send an unmistakable message to every major cockfighting operator that there is no longer ordinary business when it comes to taking part in the barbaric practice of cockfighting,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of the Washington-based animal protection group.

Recall that in early 2021 Indian police arrested a fighting rooster that killed its owner: before another fight the man tried to catch the bird, but blades had been attached to the rooster’s claws. The man died of blood loss on the way to the hospital.

It’s kind of strange that such fights existed in the US for so long; it’s really surprising they weren’t shut down earlier. 

…As the old and wise cop used to say, “to snitch” is better than “to trade blows”)