Tolland neighbors surprised after large cockfighting ring raid
More than 50 people were arrested after Connecticut state police uncovered what officials described as a large-scale cockfighting event in Tolland.
Town Manager Brian Foley said state police discovered the operation at a secluded quarry on Mountain Spring Road. Authorities have not yet released additional details about the arrests, but Foley said they’ll all likely face animal cruelty charges.
Neighbors said they were stunned to see a heavy police presence in the quiet neighborhood.
“I just walked out and started checking it out. It’s not something you expect or anticipate happening,” said Alex Krause, who lives nearby.
The police activity was captured on video by neighbors trying to understand what was happening.
“People were messaging me like ‘Oh can you get back to the house, my husband is coming home from work’ or ‘I got this video of this guys’, so were just trying to make sure everyone was okay,” said Cassie Rohan.
Krause said he was surprised the operation was happening so close to his home.
“You never think it’s going to happen in a quiet neighborhood, but that’s where it does happen. Am I surprised, yes, but they’re going to do it somewhere, here’s a perfect spot,” Krause said.
Cockfighting has been banned in Connecticut for more than a century.
Linda Pleva with Desmond’s Army said she hopes additional charges are filed in the case.
“I’m hoping that there will be other charges coming on this one as it is such a huge operation,” Pleva said.
Foley, a former Hartford deputy police chief, said that in more than two decades in law enforcement, he has personally encountered only two other cockfighting cases.
One recent case happened in West Haven last year, where seven people were arrested and 30 roosters were recovered before being humanely euthanized.
Pleva said any birds recovered in the Tolland case will likely face the same outcome because they are bred to be aggressive for fighting.
“These birds are not supposed to be bred to do that. They have another purpose on this earth. So, it’s cruel right from the get-go to breed them to do that,” Pleva said.
Krause said the allegations are disturbing.
“For abuse to be happening, for profit with these people, that’s just wrong,” Krause said.
Foley said he expects Connecticut state police to release more information about the operation later this week.
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