1,300 dogs and chickens rescued from suspected fighting operation in Wisconsin - Sensationalist Headlines

http://www.startribune.com/more-than-1-300-dogs-and-chickens-rescued-from-suspected-fighting-operation-in-rural-wisconsin/492627631/ A methamphetamine arrest by Minnesota-based U.S. marshals led to the rescue of 1,300 animals from a suspected dog and cockfighting operation in Pierce County, Wis., about an hour east of Minneapolis, the sheriff reported Thursday. Marshals went to the property to arrest Houa Yang on a felony methamphetamine charge last week. While there, they found an indoor marijuana-growing operation, a pound of dried marijuana, four pounds of meth in a safe and more than 1,300 animals living in “deplorable conditions,” Pierce County Sheriff Nancy Hove said. The marshals alerted the sheriff, who went to the property and also arrested Senyen Vang, 36, on a drug charge, Hove said. Yang and Vang lived on the property. Neither has been charged with crimes related to animal cruelty because the scene is still being processed, Hove said. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is helping with evidence collection at the property in Spring Valley, about 20 miles southeast of River Falls. During the meth arrests, the sheriff found more than a dozen dogs with scars and injuries tied to heavy chains. The dogs were allegedly bred for fighting. Roosters were found with physical alterations common to cockfighting; paraphernalia associated with such fighting also was found, the sheriff said. When birds are used for fighting, breeders often pluck their feathers and hack off their wattles and combs so they don’t get pulled off in fights. Some also cut off the birds’ spurs, the bony protrusions on their legs, to strap on deadlier weapons. Dogs are left outdoors with inadequate shelter. The animals were taken by the ASPCA to temporary emergency shelters where they will be cared for by veterinary and behavior experts until the court determines custody. “Animal fighting is an inhumane practice that is unfortunately common throughout the country,” said Tim Rickey, vice president of ASPCA field investigations and response. Hove said it is the county’s second-largest dogfighting bust in the past two years. “When we are made aware of any animal cruelty issues, we do the best we can to investigate and hold those responsible accountable for the suffering they’ve caused these animals,” Hove said. In Wisconsin, engaging in animal fighting, which includes possession of dogs or roosters for the purpose of fighting, is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of up to 3.5 years for first-time offenders. Penalties increase for repeat offenders. Houa Yang was in the Sherburne County jail Thursday. Senyen Vang was in custody in Pierce County.

Find a humane hobby ffs what is wrong with people

Holy shit I don’t know how they’re going to be able to take in that many animals. Hopefully the sick fucks get charged per animal and get 5,200 years.

Something tells me a lot of those dogs won't be able to be open for adoption. Since a lot of them are basically trained all their life for fighting and aggression its very had to get that out, especially if they are certain breeds. I hope ASPCA can save some of them.

If this was PETA they would all be put down no question

I don't mean to sound like an advocate for animal fighting, not at all, I've played with dogs and other animals alot like my gf's animals, and intend to get my own dog, BUT I could see animal fighting as a SOMEWHAT humane/ethical hobby if certain circumstances and conditions are met, MAYBE. Well, it is inherently unethical, but if the animals are otherwise treated completely ethically and given good medical care and so on, then I would understand and perhaps even tolerate the hobby more. MAYBE. I suppose one could also argue that it is tradition around the world, and traditions should be preserved. My break is ending now at work, but it is something to discuss in a civilized manner, even if the dominant view is that animal fighting should be outright banned once and for all, without any questions or special circunstances. Then here is also the fact our treatment of animals in general isn,t too ethical where we have entire populations of animals bred and raised as livestock which we don't NEED as much as we consume, even at the cost of climate problems. It is something to discuss, but please don't view me as a psycho, I treat animals ethically and encourage ethical treatment of everybody.

What's your point? Yes, PETA are shit, but I hope you're not implying that getting animals to fight is better? If anything, it's probably better that they're put down... I get I'm a hypocrite to a small degree 'cuz I eat fish still, but getting dogs to fight is so disgusting. Dogs are so lovely and anybody who harms them is an arsehole in my book.

Tradition has absolutely no inherent value at all.

You're right.

Can't speak to dog fighting, but cock fighting is huge in asia, especially the phillipines. Its strange because theres an entire industry propped up around it, for example here in vietnam you have what are essentially pharmacies just for cock fighting, selling everything from broad spectrum antibiotics to anabolic steroids and stimulants. Of interest, while most of these products are manufactured by a legitimate pharmaceutical operation in the phillipines, a lot of them come from the US as well. There are forums where people discuss care for their chickens and training techniques and all that kind of thing. I suppose it is analogous to human pugilism, I don't know if chickens are routinely killed or wounded grievously like dogs are. Theres a lot of money invested into fighting cocks, and these are countries where the average person is still quite poor.

Fuck making thinking vertebrates fight eachother. If you really want to see some animal murder, watch some bug or fish fights.