Animal News

Dallas Police Department busts cockfight and arrests 40-plus spectators

Roosters were found in cages in a heavily wooded area.

SPCA

Dallas authorities busted in on another cockfight, this one in southeast Dallas. The fight was staged over Memorial Day weekend on May 24, when the SPCA of Texas and the Dallas Police Department interrupted the cockfight in progress at a residence and seized 388 birds, including 128 roosters, 183 chicks, 49 hens, and 28 deceased birds.

A large barn contained a makeshift fighting ring where the cockfights took place, along with numerous chicks within a locked stall. Several roosters appeared to be lethargic and severely injured with multiple wounds. Other birds were found dead from fighting.

The live animals were taken to two locations: the SPCA of Texas' Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center in Dallas and the Russell H. Perry Animal Care Center in McKinney. They'll be cared for until a civil custody hearing takes place.

Dallas Police Department officers wrote over 40 tickets to spectators, and are working to charge multiple suspects with possessing paraphernalia and/or roosters with the intent to fight. Both are Class A misdemeanors. The Dallas Police Department's Animal Cruelty Unit will oversee the criminal case.

Roosters, hens, and chicks were kept in wire pens in a heavily wooded area outdoors. Roosters were also found in wooden enclosures and small wire crates in sheds. Other roosters were found inside of boxes used for transport.

Medications, a scale, and a cabinet full of paraphernalia, including slashers and gaffs, were also found.

Cockfighting is a crime in all 50 states, including Texas. In Texas, it is a felony; unfortunately, it is only punishable by up to two years in a state jail and/or up to a $10,000 fine.

In Texas, it is a Class A misdemeanor to possess, manufacture, or sell cockfighting paraphernalia; a Class A misdemeanor to own or train a rooster with the intent to fight the bird; and a Class C misdemeanor to be a spectator at a cockfight.

There is currently a partnership between the Dallas Police Department and the SPCA to bring animal cruelty perpetrators to justice. The Dallas Police Department and Dallas Animal Services identify the cases. The Dallas Police Department's Animal Cruelty Unit oversees the investigation. The SPCA of Texas provides housing and medical care.

Previous seizures include a 2017 case in southeast Dallas, and three cases in Balch Springs, including one in 2019 in which 176 animals were seized.

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Homeless News

Downtown Dallas homeless service Stewpot lands bigger better space

The Stewpot

It's official: The Stewpot, a community program that serves the homeless, has a new home. According to a release, First Presbyterian Church of Dallas — the organization that oversees the Stewpot — has acquired the CitySquare Community Center building at 1610 S. Malcolm X Blvd. where the StewPot will soon reside.

“This new facility will allow us to better deliver our programs and continue to support the 12,000 people served annually by CitySquare’s Neighbor Resource Center and Food Pantry programs,” said Brenda Snitzer, executive director of The Stewpot.

The Stewpot is a community ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Dallas. Established in 1975, it began with a concerned group of church members who started preparing lunch for the congregation's homeless and hungry neighbors.

It serves those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Its programs have tripled in size in recent years, and the ministry has outgrown its current space at 1835 Young St. across from the church.

When CitySquare announced earlier this year that it would cease operations and sell its property by the end of the year, First Presbyterian leaped in to make a bid on the space. Members voted on Sunday, December 8 to approve the acquisition. The closing is scheduled for Friday, December 13. The Stewpot will begin moving into the new space later this month.

As a part of the acquisition, The Stewpot will continue two of CitySquare’s core programs: its Food Pantry and its Neighbor Resource Center, which helps people with housing options, SNAP, WIC, healthcare, financial assistance, and mental health services.

The property is a mile from The Stewpot’s current facility on Young Street, across the street from the church. With this acquisition, The Stewpot will move its operations and offices, while continuing to serve more than 1,000 meals daily at The Bridge downtown.

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