A large-scale cockfighting and animal cruelty operation has been uncovered in Yelm, leading to the arrests of four individuals and the rescue of hundreds of animals.
On Jan. 15, the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) received a tip from the Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County regarding possible animal welfare violations at a property in the 15700 block of 153rd Avenue SE. Photos showed an emaciated horse and several roosters tied to barrels.
Following aerial surveillance conducted by TCSO and the Washington State Patrol the next day, investigators estimated there were between 200 to 300 roosters on the property, many of which exhibited signs of mutilation associated with cockfighting.
A veterinarian reviewed images of two malnourished horses and classified their condition as extremely emaciated, raising urgent concerns.
On Feb. 13, law enforcement authorities executed a search warrant, leading to the discovery of approximately 567 roosters and hens, many of whom showed signs of modifications, such as removed combs and spurs.
Fifteen horses, several cows, goats and dogs were found in various states of neglect. One horse had already perished, and multiple other animals were suffering from severe injuries or malnutrition.
Authorities also seized cockfighting paraphernalia, including gaffs (sharp steel blades affixed to roosters’ legs) and antibiotics labeled for cockfighting use.
During questioning, Benito and Eliazar Blancas Rojas allegedly admitted to mutilating the birds and tracking their bloodlines for sale.
All four suspects — Benito Blancas Rojas and brother Eliazar Blancas Rojas, and their nephews Angel Antonio Blancas Maya and Ulises Blancas Garcia — were arrested and booked into Thurston County Jail on 300 counts of animal fighting.
Benito is also charged with six counts of second-degree animal cruelty and two counts of first-degree animal cruelty, while Ulises is also charged with one count of second-degree animal cruelty.
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Boatyarddog
Good on TCSO, IM hoping they put them away forever!
Monday, March 3 Report this
S2345S23456
This makes me want to cry. How can people treat animals like this? These poor hens and roosters. And on top of that, starving dogs and horses? How can anyone be so heartless?
Tuesday, March 4 Report this
nightbird7
I’m glad they got 4 people running this cruel operation. Please don't look the other way when you see signs of animal cruelty. Report it and let Animal Services investigate further. Animals and birds depend on the community to protect them.
Tuesday, March 4 Report this
GinnyAnn
People from other countries have different cultural norms than we do. A hundred years ago, this practice was the norm in our country, too. That recognized intellectually, I abhor the cruelty to these poor animals, especially the horses. I cannot excuse such behavior. Times have changed, thank goodness. People now recognize that animals and even plants have cognition and intelligence; animals have emotions as deep as humans feel. Who of us hasn't realized how much our pets have shown love and loyalty to us? I sincerely hope these suffering animals can be saved.
Tuesday, March 4 Report this
Dogmom
1st and 2nd -degree animal cruelty? That's it? How about a felony with automatic jail time? I hope they spend the rest of their life in prison or do to them what they did to those poor animals that suffered. We know that won't happen though. Until the legislature makes this sort of treatment of any animal the heinous crime it is and changes the laws to put them away and fine the hell out of them, this will keep happening.
Come on legislature--do your job to protect these animals or are you too busy figuring out ways to raise taxes.
Tuesday, March 4 Report this
Dogmom
I would like to add to my previous comment. I commend Hooved Animal Rescue for reporting this heinous crime because they deserve a medal. Also, thank you to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office for following up and investigating. I wish the depraved animals that pay to see this kind of thing were caught also and even if they wouldn't get jail time, publish their names so we could share them on Facebook, Neighbor and anywhere else where people would see it.
Thank you
Tuesday, March 4 Report this
SecondOtter
Let's mutilate them, starve them, force them to fight and put them all into a tiny little pen filled with their own feces.
I don't know if these criminals are the same ones as those who've been driving around Thurston county, stopping at private homes that sell eggs and wanting live roosters. One time we had one show up and he wanted any roosters we had. We knew what he was up to so we said, sure, did you bring a cooler? And he said what? We said, we'll slaughter it for you. NO, he said, we want live rooster. Why? My grandfather came out and said You're looking to fight them, aren't you. That's against the law, you know that? I"m calling the sheriff right now. and the guy took off. It takes a lot to pee off my grandfather but animal cruelty (and people who abuse kids and women) gets him torqued right now.
Tuesday, March 4 Report this