Police Seize 750 Chickens From Cockfighting Training Center
By Samantha Abernethy in News on Mar 14, 2012 8:40PM
The Will County Sheriff's police seized 750 chickens from a farm in suburban Homer Glen that authorities believe was used as a cockfighting training center. The fowl will all have to be euthanized. Animal Care is working with the Department of Agriculture to assure it's done humanely.
Two Joliet men were arrested after police responded to a tip. They found "evidence of extensive training and grooming” but no evidence of cockfighting on the property. The Joliet Herald-News writes:
From the street, roosters could be heard crowing. Several rundown chicken coops could be seen toward the rear of the property, which is flanked on both sides by barren cornfields. Although there is no fence around the property, a single iron gate was blocking access to a long driveway.
A neighbor told the Joliet Herald-News that "the site had no electricity but that occasionally someone would have a bonfire and she would see a camper on the property."
Gerardo Ortiz, 32, and Ramiro Marin, 50, both of Joliet, were arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and for owning an animal for sport fighting.