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Residents React to Cockfighting Ring Save Email Print
Page County
Posted: 4:57 PM Sep 21, 2007
Last Updated: 7:08 AM Sep 23, 2007
Reporter: Meg Gatto
Email Address: mgatto@whsv.com

A | A | A

Residents in Page County are responding to the news of indictments against four members of a cockfighting ring in Stanley.

In 2003, Albert Taylor spoke about his love of his animals, and the goal of the cockfighting association.

He says, "We as a society of game found fancies try to keep it out the of the public eye as much as we can because we realize that there are people that are opposed to it.”

Taylor is certainly in the public eye now after he was one of the four men indicted on federal charges. Residents in Page County, like Gracie Berry, say cockfighting is common, but she doesn't think highly of it.

On the other hand, another resident, Charles Tester, was unaware of this widespread "sport." Tester says it's sad this is going on in the county where he lives. He says he hopes the charges against Taylor aren't true because it sets a bad example for young kids.

"There apparently is some corruption in the county if that’s the case," says Tester. " We can't allow that to continue. I mean bribery is bribery regardless. I mean, it's a crime and we can't condone that.”


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Posted by: CONTRIE Location: A L A B A M A on Nov 18, 2008 at 08:54 PM
I LOOK AT IT IN TWO DIFFRENT WAY,S ONE I SEE SUPPER ON THE TABBLE, AND TWO IT PAY SOME BILLS.

Posted by: Kara Location: H-burg on Nov 13, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Ron...The reason why they kill the birds is because idiots train them to fight. they can't live a normal life after that. They should be put down way more humane than that though. Makes me sick. My mother in law has lots of chickens and roosters on her land as pets. she collects the eggs. They all live together and do not fight. So it's BS that it's in their blood.

Posted by: Kara Location: Harrisonburg on Nov 13, 2008 at 11:30 PM
Wow...I'm not proud at all to live in this area. do you people not know how much pain these birds go through? People that get pleasure out of hurting animals are sick in the head and need help. I think people that enjoy cockfighting need to be shot. hunting as well. You all need to know how it feels to be in that kind of pain. Animals are living things. They feel pain and grief.

Posted by: ron Location: No. Virginia on Nov 13, 2008 at 06:48 PM
(continued) A clear case of the punishment not fitting the crime. In addition, the passage of a felony bill in Virginia will have a severe economic impact in the Commonwealth. Many feedstores are already suffering from the reduction in the number of fowl being fed and cared for by gamefowl fanciers. Also, those not involved in fighting their birds will probably be harassed by so-called humane investigators simply because they keep gamefowl with combs and spurs trimmed. This is a requirement of the standard for showing American and Old English gamefowl, but my bet is that many will be persecuted by over zealous animal rights nuts. By the way, the first thing that happens when a club is raided is that the Humane Society of the United States immediately kills all fowl. (This thankfully did not happen at Boxwood). However at club in TN in 2006 over 340 fowl were stuffed into 50 gallon drums and suffocated with a hose run from a truck exhaust. Yes, it took them a long time to die!

Posted by: Mike Chambers Location: alabama on Mar 30, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Please tell me the defference in a man taking his son to a cock fight ,or a man taking his son deer hunting ,give your son a gun and teach him to KILL a deer with a high powerd riffle ,or fight a dang rooster .

Posted by: Not judging Location: PC on Oct 1, 2007 at 06:51 PM
Many good people are criminals. Most people have to pay for their mistakes while others have enough power and money to get out of theirs. Criminals are human too. Unfortunately, power, money, and greed can corrupt even the best people.
Persons in power have no right incarcerating others who have made the same or less mistakes than they. Having a badge or power should not give anyone the right to try to be above the law and hide behind their occupation.


Posted by: John Location: Manassas on Sep 25, 2007 at 10:56 PM
Good men have fought chickens, names include George, Abe, and Thomas. They never took bribes from anyone! I guess good people are criminals?

Posted by: John Location: Page on Sep 24, 2007 at 05:34 PM
I think everyone is missing the hidden message in this story! I believe the reason this investigation is even still going on is because of the "Public Official" that is involved. It is observed that we vote a person into an office and they abuse their authority like this to "protect" the cock fighters from law enforcement.

Posted by: Only The Strong Survive Location: Shenandoah, Va on Sep 24, 2007 at 02:12 PM
I’m confused. I understand why some of you are so upset about our government spending tax dollars on this specific investigation, and not on others that are obviously more serious. However, as a resident of Shenandoah, I cannot say that I like this happening in “my backyard.” As far as this being a part of some people’s “livelihood,” obviously these certain people need to find a better source for income. I’m not trying to sound heartless to my fellow citizens of Page County; my prayers go out to the family of Mr. Taylor. BUT, when you break the law, there need to be consequences, if nothing else, then to set an example to show that this will not be tolerated in the future!

Posted by: Anonymous2 Location: Page Co. on Sep 24, 2007 at 01:31 PM
I agree that this so-called sport is bad. However, we must also put things in perspective. The same people who decry this as horrible have no problem with the thousands of abortions that go on everyday. We as a people are entrusted with the care and welfare of all things God gave us. You may say a woman has the right to choose what goes on with her body. Then that maxim must be applied to everything. An owner of a chicken then has the right to choose what happens to it. Do not dismiss me as an extremist, I am merely pointing out that if all life is sacred, then ALL life is.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Shenandoah on Sep 24, 2007 at 11:51 AM
There is a big difference in cockfighting and ultimate fighting. Chickens don't put themselves in cages to fight til death, humans do. Just because men do not have much sense, don't compare them to chickens.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Shenandoah on Sep 24, 2007 at 11:41 AM
Has anyone read the indictment? If you have then you know that this is more than just cockfighting. An unidentified "county offical" took a bribe. Later, that person was identified as being the sheriff of the county. Hello people, if he is going to turn his head on that criminal activity, what other criminal activities is he going to turn his head on. That one incident just proves the sheriff can be bought. I personally want to feel safe within the county. Therefore, if it's costing the state, feds not to mention the community tax dollars than so be it. I would rather have less money in my pocket than to live in a corrupt county!

Posted by: TG61 Location: Page County on Sep 24, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Gary said "This is a sport just like boxing, no more bloodier than that ultimate fighting they are put in a cage until one quits or gets knocked out and I don't see them in jail."
Not quite, as boxers can make their decision to enter the ring. Roosters don't have that privilege!!!


Posted by: henry Location: Stanley on Sep 24, 2007 at 11:03 AM
Why are we wasting millions of tax dollars trying to stop cockfighting, and then claim an "official" would take a bribe of $500.00, and risk losing their career to protect these people. There has to be a bigger fish to fry than a couple of men and a local official. What happened to the $90,000 found in a refrigerator of a congressmen. Why are they not investigating him. Come on folks, it's time we tell our congressmen and senators the government is out of control, with these prosecutions. None of the facts I have read are evidence, just someone running their mouth to sound important. Don't let rumor run your life or ruin someone else. Remember, you are innocent until proven guilty, not the opposite. Remember, what that local official has done for Page County, and ask yourself would they ruin everything including their life for $500.00. The answer is no. Be realistic folks and remember you could be next if someone starts a rumor on you.

Posted by: Eric Location: Wytheville on Sep 24, 2007 at 01:02 AM
I can't believe all of the jail time and fines that these men are facing for fighting chickens, this is absurd. These guys aren't on trial for murder but for rooster fighting and whether you are for or against cockfighting at least let the punishment fit the crime. In my opinion this punishment their facing is much to severe for what they're charged with.
There are thousands and probably millions of chickens slaughtered everyday for food for our tables and restaurants (KFC, Bojangles, Popeyes, etc.) so why shouldn't these people be allowed to fight their gamefowl ? It's not illegal in the U.S. to kill a chicken, at least not yet. So why can't these people do what they want with their property ? They own and raise these chickens, they pay for their feed and up keep so why does it matter if their using these gamefowl for sport or food. Do you want people telling you what you can & can't do with your property ? That's exactly what these chickens are that man or woman's property.


Posted by: page on Sep 23, 2007 at 07:57 PM
Whats the difference than fighting dogs? They deserve it.

Posted by: Doug Location: KY on Sep 23, 2007 at 06:54 PM
What is our country coming to when people get prison time for letting gamecocks do what they were created to do.

Posted by: gary Location: west virginia on Sep 23, 2007 at 05:31 PM
This is a sport just like boxing, no more bloodier than that ultimate fighting they are put in a cage until one quits or gets knocked out and I don't see them in jail.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Shenandoah on Sep 23, 2007 at 12:52 AM
In response to Chris in Fairfax... The fines and prison time may seem a bit much; however, everyone knows to get the fines and prison time you really want the government to hand down, you have to ask for the maximum. I personally think whatever they get (if anything) it will not be enough. What I think is truly amazing is that these people actually enjoy or should I say enjoyed such a cruel act on an innocent creature. God did not put chickens or anything else on earth to be treated so cruelly by humans. If the government don't punish these sadistic people, I know God will on Judgement day.

Posted by: Jim Location: Stanley on Sep 22, 2007 at 11:28 PM
I agree with Chris, if they were fighting humans, their fines and prison terms would've probably been much shorter. I am a true animal lover but this is just a little too much. Why don't they try to solve murders, rapes, child molesting cases, looks like human beings would take priority over animal but I guess not.

Posted by: tony Location: ruckersville on Sep 22, 2007 at 06:58 PM
After all the animal rights activists have their way, whose livelihood are they going to mess up next? Anyone who has time to worry about what other individuals do have no life!

Posted by: linda lee Location: stanardsville on Sep 22, 2007 at 06:53 PM
Why should someone sitting in a skyscraper in the city who has never seen a live chicken have a say of what goes on in our country back yards? Remember what caused the Civil War.

Posted by: scooter Location: stanardsville on Sep 22, 2007 at 06:43 PM
With all the illegal aliens in this country along with the drug problems, why is this country so worried about cock fighting, which is part of our heritage and our free rights as true Americans!

Posted by: Scott Location: south west va on Sep 22, 2007 at 02:15 PM
I know, let's go after Tysons farms and all the slaughter houses. At least a game cock has a chance. What are we coming to as a free country? We are getting more of our freedom took from us each day. God made all animals, and man to domain over them.

Posted by: Trisha Location: MS on Sep 22, 2007 at 01:25 PM
It is a sad story. These people do not deserve this. You treat them like they have went on a killing rampage of some sort. Hello, you need to be looking for the real criminals. The one's that harm our children, rape the women, and kill for no reason at all. It is okay for PETA to kill animals for no reason at all, right? This is in the birds' blood. You do not have to strap knives, or gaffs for them to kill each other. The birds are born with natural spurs, that can kill each other. What has the world come to? How come just because someone doesn't like something it has to have a bad reputation?

Posted by: Ron Location: Virginia on Sep 22, 2007 at 01:04 PM
Let's do a Freedom of Information Act request to the U.S. Attorney office in Abingdon and ask how many tax dollars were spent for travel, food, lodging, meals, salary, and overtime for the 50 to 60 agents who were involved in the raid. I would prefer my share of those dollars to go toward terrorism, murderers, rapists, drug dealers, and pedophiles. As far as the penalties, they are ABSURD! I could sell crack cocaine to elementary school children and probably get a six month suspended sentence. Let's get our priorities in order!!!

Posted by: Nina Location: Luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 11:17 PM
In response to Chris’s Comment,
Before you begin to compare chicken fighting to murder, you first should spell check. Second of all, there is more to this story than the issues at hand. Chicken Fights are illegal and unethical. I cannot imagine the low lives that would see this as a sport. I feel that each person that even attended these cruel events should be prosecuted.


Posted by: eyes wide open Location: page on Sep 21, 2007 at 10:22 PM
This is the prelude to the rest of the story in which has nothing to do with cockfighting.

Posted by: Sam Location: Luray on Sep 21, 2007 at 08:27 PM
Cock fighting has been going on in Page County for 100 years. This is just a political witch hunt.

Posted by: Chris Location: Fairfax on Sep 21, 2007 at 06:12 PM
You guys want to give chicken fighters millions in fines and almost life in prison? Are you kidding? Tthese people fought chickens, they didn't kill people. What has this world come to? This is truly amazing.

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