Dutch police raid cockfighting training center; two arrested

The police arrested two men in Bodegraven on Tuesday on suspicion of arranging illegal cockfights. Investigating officers found over 70 birds as well as what they believe is some kind of cockfighting training center, the police said in a statement.

After receiving several reports of cockfighting, the police found a forest plot on Burgemeester Kremerweg with multiple illegally built pens where around 50 roosters and hens were housed. The police believe that the roosters were used in cockfights. "The animals were probably specially trained for this by the suspects", the police said. They also found a so-called fighting pit for the roosters on the plot.

The owners of the roosters, a 31-year-old man from Zwammerdam and a 38-year-old man from Bodegraven, were arrested. Their homes were searched, during which the police found another 20 roosters.

All the animals were confiscated and taken in for examination. The police also seized data carriers from the suspects.

Under the Animals Act, it is illegal to hold, organize or attend any form of animal fights.