Gold Bar, WA - The Humane Society of the United States assisted in the raid of an alleged cockfighting operation in Gold Bar, by the Monroe Police Department over the weekend. Katie Jarl with the Humane Society tells us local law enforcement raided the property on Sunday where game fowl were allegedly bred, trained, fought and sold for fighting purposes. The Monroe Police Department currently has 17 adult males in custody. Authorities from the King County Animal Control seized 59 game fowl. Cockfighting paraphernalia was also found on the property. In Washington, cockfighting and attending a cockfight is a Class C felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison or up to a $10,000 fine. "We found more than 50 gamecocks who were bred to fight to the death with knives tied to their legs," said Eric Sakach, senior law enforcement specialist for The Humane Society of the United States. "These birds suffer violent injuries such as punctured lungs or gouged out eyes and are often left to slowly die. We commend the Monroe Police Department for their quick and efficient action to shut down this cockfighting pit."
Sunday’s raid was a multi-agency effort that also included Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, South Snohomish County SWAT Team, Lynnwood Police Department, Washington State Gambling Commission, King County Animal Control, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Child Protective Services. An animal fighting expert with The Humane Society of the United States supplied professional expertise by identifying potential evidence. The HSUS offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person involved in illegal animal fighting. Anyone with information about animal fighting criminals is asked to call 877-TIP-HSUS (847-4787). Tipsters’ identities will be protected.
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