Cockfighting - over 90 birds seized
Gastonia, NC (US)Incident Date: Friday, Jun 27, 2008
County: Gaston
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: John Carroll Peeler, Sr.
Gaston County Police arrested a man Friday who allegedly was involved in cock fighting. John Carroll Peeler Sr., 62, of the 300 block of Carson Drive had 56 roosters and 37 hens he used to fight in Virginia, police said.
"He admitted to training them," said Capt. C.J. Rosselle.
Gaston County Police were at the address earlier this month trying to locate another person.
While there, officers noticed the roosters and some spurs used in cock fighting, which led them to believe there was something suspicious going on at the house, according to Rosselle.
"The guy there actually manufactured (the spurs)," Rosselle said.
Peeler claimed he wasn't fighting the roosters at his house on Carson Drive, Rosselle said. There was no indication that any betting was taking place at the Gastonia location, Rosselle said.
Police were concerned Peeler was planning on taking some of the roosters to Virginia to fight this weekend, so they wanted to take action before he had the chance, Rosselle said.
Cock fighting is a felony in North Carolina and Virginia. Police also reported finding drugs and paraphernalia at Peeler's house, according to Rosselle.
Gaston County Police charged Peeler with 18 counts of cock fighting and one count each of felony possession of cocaine, cruelty to animals, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to sell or distribute marijuana, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling place for a controlled substance and manufacturing marijuana.
He was booked in Gaston County Jail under a $50,000 secured bond. References« NC State Animal Cruelty Map
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