Police bust suspected cockfighting farm
SNOHOMISH - The owner of a game farm was arrested Wednesday following an eight-month-long investigation on suspicion that he was raising chickens for use in cockfighting.
Snohomish County sheriff's detectives served a search warrant on the Pilchuck Game Farm based on evidence that the owner was using the farm to raise, train and sell chickens for cockfighting.
Animal control workers and deputies found 92 chickens on the property in the 9100 block of 113th Drive SE, just outside Snohomish city limits, said Rebecca Hover, spokeswoman for the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
Living conditions were dirty and, in some cases, filthy. There was not adequate water for the animals, either.
Some chickens were crowded into pens or cages, while others had no shelter at all and were exposed to the cold weather.
Six chicks were found dead in one pen; one chick died shortly after authorities arrived. Another chicken carcass was found half-eaten on the property.
It was determined the animals could not be rehabilitated and they were euthanized.
Detectives first learned about the game farm following a tip from the Humane Society of the United States, and have worked closely with the animal rights organization during the course of the investigation.
The 46-year old owner of the Pilchuck Game Farm bought the half-acre property in September 1999 and detectives believe he has been using it for the purpose of raising, training and selling chickens for cockfighting since that time.
Detectives interviewed several people Wednesday. The owner was arrested and released. Charges for animal cruelty and animal fighting will be referred to the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office.
Snohomish County sheriff's detectives served a search warrant on the Pilchuck Game Farm based on evidence that the owner was using the farm to raise, train and sell chickens for cockfighting.
Animal control workers and deputies found 92 chickens on the property in the 9100 block of 113th Drive SE, just outside Snohomish city limits, said Rebecca Hover, spokeswoman for the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
Living conditions were dirty and, in some cases, filthy. There was not adequate water for the animals, either.
Some chickens were crowded into pens or cages, while others had no shelter at all and were exposed to the cold weather.
Six chicks were found dead in one pen; one chick died shortly after authorities arrived. Another chicken carcass was found half-eaten on the property.
It was determined the animals could not be rehabilitated and they were euthanized.
Detectives first learned about the game farm following a tip from the Humane Society of the United States, and have worked closely with the animal rights organization during the course of the investigation.
The 46-year old owner of the Pilchuck Game Farm bought the half-acre property in September 1999 and detectives believe he has been using it for the purpose of raising, training and selling chickens for cockfighting since that time.
Detectives interviewed several people Wednesday. The owner was arrested and released. Charges for animal cruelty and animal fighting will be referred to the Snohomish County Prosecutor's Office.
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