Everything I've ever known is a chicken fight

[datamax]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/13/coc....ap/index.html


144 arrested at Tennessee cockfight
'Reputedly, this was the largest cockfight in the United States'
Monday, June 13, 2005 Posted: 9:59 AM EDT (1359 GMT)



Law enforcement agents stand with suspects after a raid Saturday, near Newport, Tennessee.


NEWPORT, Tennessee (AP) -- Law enforcement agents raided an illegal cockfight and arrested 144 people attending what one official said may have been one of the nation's largest such gatherings.

Several SWAT teams, helicopters and dozens of state troopers participated in the raid Saturday on the sprawling Del Rio Cockfight Pit. They seized about $40,000 in cash and killed more than 300 roosters.

"Reputedly, this was the largest cockfight in the United States," said District Attorney Al Schmutzer Jr. "It was becoming open and notorious, and you just can't stand back and let something operate like that in the community."

The 144 were each charged with being a spectator to cockfighting, a misdemeanor in Tennessee. If convicted, they face up to 11 months and 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine.

John Goodwin, of the Humane Society of the United States, who took part in the raid, said it served notice on those conducting such illegal operations. "I wouldn't want to be a cockfighter in East Tennessee right now," he said.

David Webb, a gamecock owner from Rhea County, said he lost more than 20 chickens valued at $150 each during the raid. "I've been around this stuff all my life. Everything I've ever known is a chicken fight," he said.

Newport, adjacent to the Great Smoky Mountains, is 42 miles east of Knoxville.

[silentassassin]

I went to Lollapalooza concert there in 96

[CalHunter]

Classic quote!!

[North Texan]

If their going to kill the chickens anyway, why not let'em fight.

Cock fighting is illegal here, too. Blows my mind how the authorities will raid every fight they hear about, yet drug rings are all over the place that everybody knows about and nothing is done. You can sell your dope on the streets and not much will be done, but you can't fight a chicken or haul him across state lines for that purpose or they'll bust you every time. That is, unless your a member of one of the Indian tribes in Oklahoma, which you can be for a small fee.

[Wirehair]

There is a guy near me that has maybe a dozen birds. The SPCA tried shutting him down but he says he's exempt from the law because the kids mom is from the Phillipeans and its a part of their heritage.

I know it sounds stupid but the SPCA has left him alone.