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WEBVTT ALL 85 TICKETSAND ROOSTERS.THIS ROOSTER AND 84 OTHERS HAVEA NEW TEMPORARY HOME AT THERESCUE LEAGUE OF IOWA.ALL OF THEM WERE SEIZED FROMTHIS HOUSE IN DES MOINES.>> THIS WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY.>> THE BREED IS CONSISTENT WITHCOCKFIGHTING.THERE ARE RELATIVELY HEALTHYINSIDE OF THE HOME BUT THE SHEERNUMBER OF THEM LED TO THEINVESTIGATION.BESIDES THAT, POLICE AND ANIMALCONTROL FOUND FIGHTING SUPPLIESON SITE.>> THEY TRIM DOWN THE NATURALTALENTS AND ATTACH BASICALLYKNIVES TO THE FEET AND LET THEMFIGHT.>> IT IS A BARBARIC FIGHT.TO ROOSTERS ATTACK EACH OTHER TOTHE DEATH.>> IT IS A FELONY IN THE STATEOF IOWA.IT WILL DID ANSWER THE DOOR THATREFUSED TO GUARD ON CAMERA.-- IS CHARGED WITH DISORDERLYCONDUCT.AND THERE IS ALWAYS THEPOTENTIAL FOR MORE ARRESTS.

Advertisement ARL: 85 chickens seized in suspected cockfighting operation The Animal Rescue League of Iowa helped Des Moines Police to remove 85 chickens and roosters from a potential cockfighting operation on the east side of Des Moines. Share Shares Copy Link Copy

The Animal Rescue League of Iowa helped Des Moines Police to remove 85 chickens and roosters from a potential cockfighting operation on the east side of Des Moines.According to the ARL, Mariano Martinez Ramirez has been charged with felony animal contest, possession of contest device (animal fighting paraphernalia), misdemeanor types permitted (excessive animal numbers), and violation of probation."It is a barbaric sport,” Animal Control Services Manager Josh Colvin said. “I mean, basically it's two roosters that are attacking each other to the death." The birds were brought to the ARL’s Second Chance Ranch where they were examined and photographed for evidence in the case. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) was also on-site to test the birds for possible contagious disease.“Animal fighting is a horrible, vicious crime where the animals suffer greatly at the hands of those involved. Because of this, many years ago, the ARL worked with lawmakers to elevate this level of animal cruelty to a felony. Unfortunately, it remains one of the few felony charges for animal crimes in our state.” said Tom Colvin, Executive Director of the Animal Rescue League of Iowa.The ARL says in an illegal cockfight, two roosters fight each other to the death while people place bets. Left to themselves, roosters rarely severely hurt each other. In cockfights, on the other hand, the birds often wear razor-sharp blades on their legs and incur injuries like punctured lungs, broken bones and pierced eyes."They will trim down the natural talons the roosters have and attach some very, very sharp, basically, knives to their feet, and then let them fight,” Des Moines police Sgt. Paul Parizek said. Police said there is always the potential for more arrests. "This attracts a certain kind of scumbag, you know, who wants to watch these things happen and these investigations always kind of branch out,” Parizek said.The Des Moines Police Department is continuing the investigation, and we will continue to assist however is needed.An informant tipped police off about the chickens and roosters in the backyard. It is legal to own chickens within city limits, but the Animal Rescue League said it is not legal to own that many chickens or to raise them for cockfighting.