July/August 2003:
Suspected cockfighters were paid $11.4 million
SACRAMENTO––Cockfighters who spread Exotic Newcastle Disease throughout Southern California and into Arizona between November 2002 and May 2003 by illegally transporting gamecocks between fighting pits appear to have created a financial windfall for themselves, according to documents obtained by Associated Press under the federal Freedom of Information Act.
The USDA paid compensation of $22.3 million to poultry owners whose infected or exposed flocks were killed as part of the eradication effort. Most of the 3.7 million birds who were destroyed were egg-laying hens, for whom the USDA paid $2.89 apiece, according to Associated Press: $10.7 million.
144,000 gamefowl
The other 144,000 birds ordered killed were characterized mainly as game fowl, including thousands of roosters and brood cocks whom authorities believe were used for fighting, Associated Press reported.
For these birds the government paid an average of $79.31 each, with some roosters and brood cocks valued as high as $500, according to the records. Suspected cockfighters collected $11.4 million.
“I think it is inappropriate to be using taxpayer dollars to be paying for cockfighting birds or to be supporting the cockfighting industry in any way, responded Senator Wayne Allard, DVM (R-Colorado). Allard authored a new federal law prohibiting the interstate transportation of fighting cocks, and in March 2003 co-sponsored a bill by Senator John Ensign, DVM (R-Nevada), which would introduce felony penalties for violating the anti-interstate transport law.
Countered Agiculture Secretary Ann Veneman, “The whole idea of paying compensation is to give people incentive to participate in the program.”
Gamefowl returned to suspect
The last known Newcastle case was reported on May 31, 2003, and was detected in a backyard flock in Los Angeles County, said Leticia Rico, spokesperson for the joint state/federal Newcastle eradication task force.
The Newcastle-related killing does not seem to have inhibited the gamecock breeding industry, recent California arrests indicate. On July 9, 2003, for example, 217 gamecocks, cockfighting paraphernalia, and illegal steroids were reportedly found in possession of Martin Contreras Valeriano, 38, of Delhi. Because anti-Newcastle restrictions prevent moving impounded flocks, the birds were banded, photographed, and released back to Valeriano’s custody. He was ordered to keep them alive as evidence pending completion of court proceedings.
Valeriano reportedly claimed to be selling gamecocks at $200-$300 each, and to have paid $3,000 for his best breeding cock.
Tulane University law professor John R. Kramer on May 23, 2003 sued the USDA in Lafayette, Louisiana, for allegedly discriminating against Cajuns, Hispanic people, and the state of Louisiana by enforcing the anti-gamecock transport law.
“Kramer contends that cockfighting is integral to Cajun, Hispanic, and Louisiana culture,” wrote Cain Boudreau of Associated Press.
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A governmental department paying criminals. In the USA.
Who woulda thunk?
Thanking you for exposing this and bringing it to our attention.
Again, agreeing with the previous advocate, that, shamefully, it appears to be this administration’s deliberate habit to reward the criminals in our society rather more than condemn unlawful actions, especially those which often harm animals.
There appears to be little compunction to attempt to curtail the inhumane acts, so that they will cease. Instead, present policy all too often incentivizes them.
This sickens the heart and soul, but one must thank those who try to expose them with the hope that eventually the public will forcefully demand that these hurtful acts are stopped.