Allegan District Judge Stephen Sheridan ordered the animals killed following
a hearing Tuesday, Allegan County Undersheriff Jim Hull said Friday.
"We hired a veterinarian to destroy the animals," Hull said.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture first drew blood samples
from the birds to determine if they carried an avian disease that could infect
the state's poultry industry. Test results will take a few weeks to obtain,
officials said.
Two Fennville men have been charged in connection with the illegal
cockfighting ring police discovered when tipped off by Drug Enforcement
Administration agents in December to activity at a house in Clyde Township.
Pedro Verduzco Mendoza, 55, is charged with possessing fighting animals and
with possession of a facility used to house cockfighting, both felonies.
Jerardo Antonio Mendoza, 24, is charged with two counts of possession of
fighting animals.
Arrest warrants remain pending for seven other out-of-state
people.