Possible cockfighting operation in Mullica under investigation

From the Press of Atlantic City, May 13, 2010-Lee Procida, Staff Writer

Includes video of Sheriff Frank Balles.

Police arrested a man Thursday afternoon after finding nearly 50 roosters caged in his Reading Avenue backyard that they believe are part of an illegal cockfighting operation.

Housed in individual small wire cages a short walk into the woods behind the home, the roosters that authorities said were likely specially bred and imported from South America had their wattles and crests cut off, a technique used to give fighting birds an advantage.

Police did not immediately release the name of the man, who was being questioned by Mullica Township officers Thursday afternoon after being cuffed and driven away from the small, secluded home.

Detectives from the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office were at the home Thursday morning searching for a fugitive they said lived at the home recently. They did not find the man, but their training led them to identify the situation and suspect the unlawful activity.

There are few houses around the home that is less than a mile off Route 30, although the chickens' crowing could be heard throughout the neighborhood. Most neighbors were not home Thursday morning and afternoon while police investigated the scene.

"I mean, I've heard roosters in the morning, but I didn't realize that was going on," said Al Schwartz, 47, who lives about 100 yards down the street and said most of the people there keep to themselves.

Representatives from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was also at the scene Thursday, and was seeking a judge's order to remove the chickens in the afternoon.