Police Shoot and Kill 64 Cockfighting Roosters; Block Decision to Send Them to Animal Sanctuaries
The roosters were reportedly supposed to be re-homed to animal sanctuaries, officials said.
July 11 2024, Published 3:00 a.m. ET
Deputies in Yakima County, Washington, reportedly made the decision to shoot and kill former cockfighting roosters instead of sending them to animal sanctuaries because they feared the birds would be moved in the dead of night if they were left on the property, RadarOnline.com has learned.
In April 2024, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced 34 indictments on charges stemming from a large cockfighting ring located in eastern Washington. These charges included cockfighting, money laundering, and attempted to kill witnesses.
New evidence was obtained in 2022, which helped solve the 1980 cold case, officials said.
The bust also included dozens of roosters on two different properties. Officials determined half of the roosters would be moved to Heartwood Haven, an animal sanctuary in Pierce County, and the other half would be cleared to go to various adoptive families, sanctuaries and other facilities.
According to KCPQ-TV, Kate Tsyrklevich and her team worked to find homes for more than 50 of the roosters, and clearing the property for the next round of birds. She waited for a call from A.T.F. regarding the new birds, but instead got a call stating the roosters had already been shot and killed.
The victim was shot several times before being dismembered.
The media outlet reported that the roosters were on a property in Zillah, Washington, and a neighbor called with concerns about a couple horses.
Yakima County deputies, along with an animal control officer, arrived and determined they would take care of the roosters.
Police said they were able to use sidewalk spit to help crack a 1988 cold case murder.
- EXCLUSIVE: Brian Thompson 'Murderer' Luigi Mangione, 26, 'Was Leading Drug-Crazed, Incel-Style Life Without Sex' After Back Surgery Before He Allegedly Blasted Healthcare Boss to Death
- Glamorous Best Friend of UnitedHealthcare CEO Assassination Suspect Luigi Mangione Breaks Silence on How She Was 'Blindsided' by Arrest — As He's Charged with Murder and 'Ghost Gun' is Discovered
- Jilted Jennifer Aniston 'Fuming' Her Love Rival Angelina Jolie Is Being Tipped for Oscars Glory – 'There’s no Chance She'll Forgive Her For Stealing Brad Pitt!'
DAILY. BREAKING. CELEBRITY NEWS. ALL FREE.
A spokesperson for the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office said the deputies were concerned someone would try and steal or move the birds since they were worth a lot of money.
In body-worn camera footage obtained by KCPQ-TV, the woman taking care of the roosters asked if the birds would be taken to an animal sanctuary and Animal Control Officer Cindy Kanzler said, “I don’t think so,” even though she had knowledge of the plan to move the roosters.
Cops say the suspect fired multiple shots during the incident, with one hitting a 7-month-old baby boy.
In the footage, Kanzler reportedly said, “I don’t give a (inaudible) how you dispose of them, honestly — I think rescuing birds is (inaudible) … but however you want to deal with it."
The spokesperson told KCPQ-TV that deputies made a call to A.T.F. in an attempt to get ahold of the animal sanctuary that was planning on re-homing the birds, which the body camera footage shows that call.
However, the next call the deputies make is to the armory for ammunition. One of the deputies reportedly muted his microphone as he started to explain the situation.
Never miss a story — sign up for the RadarOnline.com newsletter to get your daily dose of dope. Daily. Breaking. Celebrity news. All free.
Powered by RedCircle
In the end, 64 roosters were shot and killed — a very unusual form of euthanasia in animal cruelty cases.
In a statement, the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office said it was a “challenging decision, but one that was necessary given the circumstances.”
However, Tsyrklevich said, "They could have tried something. It doesn’t seem like they tried anything, it was more convenient for them to just shoot the roosters."