Cockfighting in Lino Lakes, MN

Suspected cockfighting
ring busted in Lino Lakes

LINO LAKES, Minn. -- Nine people were arrested
after authorities discovered a suspected
cockfighting ring in Lino Lakes.

The Lino Lakes Police Department received an
anonymous complaint of a cockfight Sunday night at
a home on the 1400 block of Woodland Drive. When
officers arrived, they found several roosters that
appeared to be in poor physical condition with
several cuts and other evidence of cockfighting.

Animal welfare officers inspected the area Tuesday
and found hundreds of chickens on the property.
They removed 40 live game-cocks and seven dead
birds, as well as paraphernalia and other equipment
from the property.

All of the animals taken will be held in quarantine
pending a disposition hearing.

Authorities arrested a total of nine people. One was
arrested for felony permitting an animal fighting and
the others for attending an organized animal fight.
Some of those arrested admitted to being at the
residence to watch the fights. One suspect stated
that he had a $20 bet on a fight.

Animal Humane Society Senior Investigator Keith
Streff says this is one of the largest and most
sophisticated breeding, training and distribution
facilities he has seen since starting with the Animal
Humane Society in 1987.

Cockfighting is a felony in Minnesota and illegal in
all 50 states.

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