19 Arrested in Conn. in Alleged Songbird-Fighting Ring
Cockfighting, yes. But an expert says he’s never before heard of people allegedly pitting songbirds against each other and betting on the outcome of the avian battles—until now.
Authorities have arrested 19 individuals in Connecticut and accused them of involvement in a planned songbird battle at a home in the New Haven area on Sunday, reports the Associated Press. They were charged with cruelty to animals and gambling and the homeowner also was charged with interfering with police.
The homeowner tells the news agency that he kept the saffron finches and canaries as pets and says they are like his children.
About 150 birds and $8,000 in claimed gambling money were seized in a raid on the home Sunday.
“We’re blazing new territory,” says Wayne Kasacek of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture. “This is something for law enforcement and for us to learn about.”
