INDIAN TRAIL — APRIL 7 UPDATE: The remaining 18 roosters are now in temporary foster homes as they wait adoption and will not be euthanized if not adopted by Friday, according to officials.
APRIL 6 UPDATE: As of Monday afternoon, about 50 roosters have been adopted or transferred to other animal sanctuaries that will serve as temporary foster homes.
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue still needs help finding homes for the birds. They must be out of their holding area in South Carolina by April 10 or they will be euthanized.
There were also two hens seized during the raid with eggs ready to hatch. The moms and eggs are at the rescue now, and two babies have been born so far.
Those interested in adopting should email adopt@cwrescue.org.
Click here for donation information.
Twenty-seven people have been arrested and 122 birds seized after authorities broke up a weekend cockfight in Marlboro County.
A nonprofit organization is asking for the public's help to care for 117 roosters and one duck seized in a cockfighting ring Saturday night in Wallace, South Carolina. Five seized roosters died overnight from their injuries.
IMAGES: 117 roosters seized from cockfighting bust
The arrests were made overnight Saturday at a home in the community of Wallace where cockfights were staged.
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, which is based in Indian-Trail, participated in the raid led by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Sheriff's Department of Marlboro County. The Humane Society also participated and took custody of 11 dogs found on the property.
The roosters have severe injuries, ranging from stab wounds all over their bodies, head trauma and concussions to broken legs, ribs and bleeding from their ears, nose or mouth.
The rescue is at capacity for roosters and has an urgent need to find adoptive homes for the birds at its Indian-Trail facility, as well as the newly-seized birds.
The new roosters must be placed by April 10 or they will be euthanized.
This is the second time in less than a year that CWR has been called by South Carolina officials to help provide animal care after a cockfighting bust. The rescue gained custody of nearly 150 roosters seized by police in May during a cockfighting bust in Chesterfield County. Nearly 50 people in McBee were charged for their part in that cockfighting ring.
Some of those birds have already found new homes with other rescues, but about 30 remain at CWR and are available for adoption.
The all-volunteer rescue is also asking the community to help buy food and medical supplies for the extra birds. The Humane Society of the United States did provide a $3,000 grant to kickstart the care.
"Rescues like ours struggle daily with funding. Our animals simply don't have mainstream appeal," Director Jennifer Gordon said. "We want to save the world, but we just can't do it alone. We really need the public's support to care for these birds and find them forever homes."
In South Carolina cockfighting is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or as long as a year in jail.
Click here for the rescue's contact information or to make a donation for the roosters care.
WSOC
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