https://mercyforanimals.org/blog/cockfighting-roosters-shot/?utm_campaign=2024-08-24-the-voice-ca-public-engagement&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ealert&utm_content=link&utm_term=

When a cockfighting ring in Yakima Washington was busted, a farm sanctuary called Heartwood Haven rescued 40 roosters.  They were preparing to rescue the remaining 64, but the Yakima County Sheriff’s Department Deputies decided to shoot every one of the birds despite there being homes for them.  While the police claim that they were concerned the fighting farm might sell the roosters if left overnight, that still doesn’t explain why the police service didn’t instead call over extra police cars with cat crates to take the roosters into protective custody until the sanctuary could pick them up.  

We would like the offending officers to be disarmed, removed from active service, and potentially charged with animal cruelty.  

While Yakima City Police had nothing to do with the killing, tasking them with Animal Services takes away officers from other issues.  And the Yakima County Sheriff’s Department (completely separate from the Yakima City Police) are in charge of Animal Services outside of Yakima in the evirons.  We would like the 2023 decision to have police manage Animal Services reversed, and return Animal Services to Yakima Humane Society.  https://yakimahumane.org/services/animal-control/​ 

https://www.yakimawa.gov/services/animal-control/​

https://yakimapolice.org/animal-control/ 

We would like an overhaul of Yakima County Sheriff policy regarding animals.  Police are supposed to serve and protect everyone, and birds who are victims of violence deserve love, not being shot and having their last moments in terror watching their family members being shot.