Animal Wellness Action and SHARK Applaud Kendall County Sheriff’s Office for Major Cockfighting Bust in Illinois

KENDALL COUNTY, Ill. — Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) commended the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office for executing a major operation that resulted in the recovery of more than 400 fighting birds and the arrest of three individuals in connection with an alleged cockfighting enterprise in Little Rock Township.

Deputies executed a search warrant on Sept. 26 following an investigation that began in late August. More than 400 fighting birds along with equipment typically used for cockfighting including transport crates and sharpened implements were seized at the property.

 Manuel Alacron, 37, and Yanina Alava, 46, both of Plano, and Alejandro Alvarez, 37, of Aurora face multiple felony charges related to animal fighting. All three were released on pre-trial conditions.

The seized birds were removed with the assistance of Kendall County Animal Control, which coordinated evaluations and transfers to rescue organizations.

“This bust is another clear example of why we need unrelenting vigilance against cockfighting,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action. “Cockfighting is organized cruelty, tied up with gambling, weapons, and other illicit activities. The Kendall County Sheriff’s Office deserves enormous credit for pursuing this case and preventing more birds from enduring violent, staged battles.”

 “Cockfighting is barbaric and criminal, and it has no place in Illinois or anywhere else,” said Steve Hindi, president of SHARK. “We applaud the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office for taking decisive action and making it clear that this cruelty will not be tolerated in our communities.”

Animal Wellness Action urges prosecutors to file the maximum charges allowed under Illinois law and coordinate with federal partners as warranted. The group also calls on Congress to swiftly enact the bipartisan FIGHT Act (H.R. 3946 / S.1454), which would ban simulcast gambling on animal fighting events, prohibit the shipment of mature roosters by mail, authorize forfeiture of property used in animal fighting, and create a private right of action to hold violators accountable.

“Until we give law enforcement stronger federal tools, cockfighters will continue to exploit animals and communities,” Pacelle added. “This case in Kendall County is proof positive that local sheriffs and animal control officers are doing their part — now Congress must do theirs.”

Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News

SHARK is a non-profit organization working throughout the United States and beyond against rodeos, cockfighting, bullfighting, pigeon shoots, turkey shoots, canned hunts and more. SHARK uses drones, undercover cameras and other technology to gather irrefutable evidence for the courts, lawmakers, media and public at large.