HAYS COUNTY, Texas – The Hays County Sheriff’s Office has turned over a case for a possible criminal investigation after 118 hens and roosters were removed from a residential property on Tuesday.
- 118 fowl removed from a property
- Many of the birds had body parts cut off
- County shelter currently housing birds
The birds were seized from a property in Buda, Texas, on Tuesday. The sheriff’s office says deputies were first asked to investigate the property for suspected animal cruelty on November 4.
Photo of birds in boxes and cardboard crates on November 22, 2019 (Stacy Rickard / Spectrum News)
Some of the birds had combs, wattles, and spurs cut off. Shelter staff say this is a practice commonly used to prepare roosters for cockfighting.
As of Friday, no arrests had been made related to this investigation.
According to San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter officials, a judge has ruled that the roosters are now San Marcos shelter property so now they can be taken to a rescue.
On Tuesday after the birds were seized, the shelter put a call out on social media asking for community help getting extra kennels to house the hens and roosters.
Hundreds of people liked and shared the post, many expressing interest in adopting several birds once they are made available.