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MSP: Razors, injectable stimulant confiscated from cockfighting scene.
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
#OceanaCountyCrime
HART — More details are emerging from investigators following last Saturday’s raid of a cockfighting ring near 72nd Avenue in Hart Township.
Michigan State Police Trooper Aaron Tubergen of the Hart post said police confiscated razor spurs that were attached to the roosters’ feet and vials of injectable stimulant apparently used to make the chickens more aggressive. Several of the birds had cuts from the razors, Tubergen said.
At the scene, police found 35 live roosters that were either in pens or “actively fighting in the woods,” stated an MSP press release.
It could be the first time in Oceana County history that police were dispatched to a cockfighting ring, Tubergen said. “It’s the first time we’ve ever investigated one, and it has not occurred in recent history to our knowledge.”
A total of 15 people were arrested on felony animal fighting charges. They all remain lodged in the Oceana County Jail and could be arraigned in 78th District Court as early as Monday, June 4.
Tubergen said troopers were called to the scene after a property owner heard roosters cackling and called 911.
Several suspects attempted to flee from the police in the densely wooded area.
There was a large rooster fighting ring at the scene and a large pit that contained the bodies of 10 dead roosters, states the MSP press release.
“Upon arrival at the suspected location, troopers located a large group of people, approximately 30 individuals, on scene who were participating in an illegal rooster fighting/gambling activity. When law enforcement contacted the large group, many attempted to flee the scene into the densely wooded area surrounding the venue. Many of the individuals who fled were located by troopers and local law enforcement on scene. An MSP K9 assisted at the scene and located six individuals a short distance away who were attempting to hide from law enforcement.”
A total of 16 vehicles on private property were impounded from the scene.
MSP was assisted by the DNR, Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Oceana County Animal Control, Hart City Police Department and Pentwater Police Department.
Suspects’ names will be released pending arraignment.
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