Many thanks to my friend Pat for bringing the following article to my attention:
144 arrested at Tennessee cockfight
‘Reputedly, this was the largest cockfight in the United States’
Monday, June 13, 2005 Posted: 9:59 AM EDT (1359 GMT)
Law enforcement agents stand with suspects after a raid Saturday, near
Newport, Tennessee.
NEWPORT, Tennessee (AP) — Law enforcement agents raided an illegal
cockfight and arrested 144 people attending what one official said may
have been one of the nation’s largest such gatherings.
Several SWAT teams, helicopters and dozens of state troopers
participated in the raid Saturday on the sprawling Del Rio Cockfight
Pit. They seized about $40,000 in cash and killed more than 300
roosters.
“Reputedly, this was the largest cockfight in the United States,” said
District Attorney Al Schmutzer Jr. “It was becoming open and
notorious, and you just can’t stand back and let something operate
like that in the community.”
The 144 were each charged with being a spectator to cockfighting, a
misdemeanor in Tennessee. If convicted, they face up to 11 months and
29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine.
John Goodwin, of the Humane Society of the United States, who took
part in the raid, said it served notice on those conducting such
illegal operations. “I wouldn’t want to be a cockfighter in East
Tennessee right now,” he said.
David Webb, a gamecock owner from Rhea County, said he lost more than
20 chickens valued at $150 each during the raid. “I’ve been around
this stuff all my life. Everything I’ve ever known is a chicken
fight,” he said.
Newport, adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains, is 42 miles east of Knoxville.
3 replies on “The Mother of All Cockfights!”
That’s right. Roosters are meant exclusively for fuking hens, not fighting each other. Well, they do fight each other over the hens, but we should all do our best to keep them from doing so. They should not be encouraged. It is the dark side of their nature and, besides, Jesus frowns upon cocks of all forms and functions.
“Everything I’ve ever known is a chicken fight” – that’s precious. I grew up near there (for a couple of years anyway). We raised chickens too. One day we caught a stray cow. No one came to claim it, so we ate it. That part of the country just does something to you.
Jane and I, in our final days of bonus cable TV, routinely watch Animal Cops on Animal Planet. Most of the folks that they “bust” are for the following offenses:
1) Raising pitbulls for fighting
2) Raising roosters for fighting
3) Hoarding cats, their def. of a horder is one who keeps 40+ cats in a two bedroom apt.