Animal News

SPCA seizes 160 birds in alleged Balch Springs cockfighting operation

Birds at Balch Springs residence.

Courtesy of SPCA

An alleged cockfighting operation has been busted in Balch Springs. On August 2, the SPCA of Texas, the Balch Springs Police Department, Balch Springs Animal Control, and City of Balch Springs Code Enforcement seized 176 animals from a Balch Springs residence, including 111 hens, 31 roosters, 10 chicks, nine puppies, seven pheasants, six dogs, one peacock, and one kitten.

The birds were found in various pens and coops that had been arranged in narrow, winding rows behind the residence.

Two dogs and the puppies were found in a feces-filled garage. The remaining dogs were found in pens, separated into male and female pairs.

The kitten was found roaming freely.

None of the animals had access to adequate water, and only some had food or shelter. The animals appeared to be suffering from several medical issues, including overheating, dehydration, open wounds, and missing feathers.

The residence came to authorities' attention on July 30, when Balch Springs Animal Services responded to an odor complaint.

During the visit, cockfighting paraphernalia was plainly visible to the officers, who contacted Balch Springs Police Department. An SPCA of Texas investigator visited on August 1 and spotted paraphernalia that included short knives known as "slashers," wax string, leather straps, transport boxes, and sparring muffs.

The civil custody hearing will take place on August 7 at 9 am at the Dallas County Government Center, Precinct 1, Place 2, located at 107 Texas St., in Lancaster, with the Honorable Valencia Nash presiding. Criminal charges are expected to be filed.

Cockfighting is a crime in all 50 states. In Texas, it's a felony to cause birds to fight with one another and/or to use property for the purpose of cockfighting, punishable by up to two years in a state jail and/or up to a $10,000 fine; 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.

Federal law also prohibits any interstate or foreign transport of fighting animals.

This is not the first time a cockfighting operation has been found in Balch Springs, located on the southeast corner of Dallas, east of Pleasant Grove, south of Mesquite. Another was found in 2018, when 48 roosters were seized.

There have also been two very large cruelty seizures in Balch Springs: one in 2018, and another in 2015. Balch Springs, what is wrong with you? Get it together.

These animals were transported to the SPCA of Texas' Russell E. Dealey Animal Rescue Center, where they will be evaluated by medical staff and cared for until the custody hearing takes place.

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happy go lucky plano

Dallas neighbor dazzles on new list of happiest cities in America

Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

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A new happiness study has ranked Plano one of the happiest cities in America this year, and it once again landed on top as the happiest city in Texas.

Plano has moved up on the list and ranks as the 16th happiest U.S. city in 2026. Last year, it was 17th.

WalletHub determined the happiest cities in America based on 29 relevant metrics based on "positive-psychology research" across three main categories: emotional and physical wellbeing, income and employment, and community and environment. As with most WalletHub studies, it compared the 182 most populous U.S. cities.

Fremont, California claimed the top spot as the happiest city nationwide for another year. Bismark, North Dakota and Scottsdale, Arizona, respectfully, rounded out the top three.

Here's how WalletHub ranked Plano across the three key dimensions:

No. 15 – Emotional and physical wellbeing
No. 22 – Community and environment
No. 72 – Income and employment

Plano and its residents have continued improving their city year after year, whether its through opening new bakeries and restaurants, inviting fun pop-ups for locals, or having a strong job market.

Plano's happiness far outshines the rest of North Texas; according to WalletHub, Irving is the 70th happiest city in the country, the third-happiest in Texas, and the second-happiest city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro. Garland ranked farther behind as No. 92 nationally, and more DFW cities ranked even lower: Grand Prairie (No. 106), Dallas (No. 111), Fort Worth (No. 113), and Arlington (No. 119).

The report additionally found that Dallasites spend the third-most amount of time at work in the nation. The city ranked No. 180 in the national analysis of U.S. cities with the "fewest work hours."

WalletHub also emphasized that money doesn't buy happiness — after a certain point.

"For decades, researchers have explored the science of happiness and identified several core factors, including mental well-being, physical health, strong social ties, job satisfaction, and financial stability," the report said. "Still, income has its limits — studies show that earning more than $75,000 a year does not lead to greater happiness."

Six-figure earners in Plano aren't necessarily as happy as those who don't make as much, as a separate financial study from SmartAsset revealed these big earners are only taking home about $72,653 after taxes and adjusted for the cost of living.

This is how other Texas cities ranked in the report:

No. 39 – Austin
No. 128 – Houston
No. 135 – Lubbock
No. 137 – El Paso
No. 140 – Laredo
No. 143 – Amarillo
No. 150 – Brownsville
No. 154 – San Antonio
No. 155 – Corpus Christi

wallethub plano reports

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SPCA seizes 160 birds in alleged Balch Springs cockfighting operation

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