UPDATE: DA Announces Investigation Following Search of Farm

Washington County District Attorney Eugene A. Vittone II announced Wednesday that the investigation continues into alleged cock fighting following a search of a Daisytown farm.

, state police in Washington retrieved 127 birds along with a large amount of cock-fighting materials that investigators believe may be related to an to an alleged cock-fighting operation in southwestern Pennsylvania.

“Police report that the birds were kept within a ‘rooster yard’ in individual housing units and those units were manufactured using pickle barrels and/or 3-foot high white canvas teepees," Vittone said. "Many birds were tethered to
their barrel or teepee, which is the typical practice in the cockfighting industry."

Police point out that it is common in animal fighting for people to store the birds in states such as Pennsylvania and then transport them to what those in the industry call “free states” such as Ohio or Maryland for fighting in single or multi-day “derbies.”

During the derbies, monetary prizes are offered for the competition itself and
side betting is also known to take place. Vittone stated there is currently no evidence to indicate that actual cock-fighting “derbies” were being held on these particular premises.

“We are not going to tolerate or allow this type of illegal activity to occur in Washington County,” Vittone said. “We border states where this type of
illegal, inhumane and barbaric action is tolerated, but I can assure you, it won’t be tolerated here."

He said Pennsylvania law deems cruelty to animals while engaging in animal fighting as a felony offense. The same conduct in “free states” is currently graded as a misdemeanor. Police will continue to investigate and charges could be filed.

There is a reward of up to $5,000.00 for the arrest and conviction of a person engaged in cock-fighting operations.

For more details, call 1-877-TIP-HSUS.