An international animal rights group and Tifton-Tift County Animal Control worked together to transport to a sanctuary 40 roosters seized during a Jan. 16 bust at a cockfighting ring.

In Defense of Animals, a California-based animal protection organization, announced Tuesday that the group has rescued the 40 chickens and transported them to Eastern Shore Sanctuary and Education Center in Princess Anne, Md. The roosters were seized on Easter Sunday during a raid of a cockfighting ring in a barn near Omega. The raid was performed by the Midsouth Narcotics Task Force and Tifton-Tift County Animal Control.

IDA transported the 40 roosters to the sanctuary where they can “just be birds,” according to the group. IDA will provide transportation and medical care for the birds.

“They contacted me, took 40 birds and left me one that’s kind of puny,” said Regenia Wells, director of Tifton-Tift County Animal Control. “They will be in a sanctuary where they have their own pen.”

The animal control officers decided to keep one of the birds as a mascot and named him Leroy.

Along with the 41 birds that were seized, nine dead roosters were found and two were euthanized due to extensive injuries. Other birds suffered injuries such as a severed tongue or missing eyes, but are being rehabilitated.

“Most birds used in these violent, bloody events aren’t fortunate enough to even live through it,” said Elliot M. Katz, DVM, founder and president of IDA. “We are pleased to be able to give these animals a second chance.”

Gamecocks are bred to be aggressive and are injected with stimulants such as strychnine and testosterone and blood-clotting drugs, according to IDA. The natural spurs of the birds are sawn off and replaced with bladed weapons called gaffs. The roosters then duel to the death for sport, amusement and gambling.

Twenty-one men were arrested during the raid and charged with aggravated animal cruelty — a felony with a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $15,000 fine. Only some of the alleged spectators were arrested as authorities estimated the crowd to number more than 100 people. However, many escaped.

Last week, IDA contacted District Attorney Paul Bowden and urged him to prosecute the 21 men to the fullest extent of the law. Bowden said that he would handle the cases like any others.

Wells said that IDA and the local animal control have come to an agreement so that the group would transport to sanctuaries any animal, such as a rooster or dog, that is injured through organized fighting.

The cockfighting incident attracted the attention of another animal rights group — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA senior writer Heather Moore wrote a letter to the editor of The Tifton Gazette thanking the Midsouth Narcotics Task Force and Tifton-Tift County Animal Control and condemning the practice of cockfighting.

To contact reporter Dusty Vassey, call 382-4321, ext. 208.