Humane Society begins
anti-cockfight radio ads

The radio spots urge residents to
report cockfights to police

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By Rod Antone
rantone@starbulletin.com

The Hawaiian Humane Society is taking to the airwaves to do battle with illegal cockfighting in neighborhoods. The 30-second radio ads began yesterday on KSSK, KCCN, KNDI and KRTR.

"Cockfighting is a blood sport; it's just another act of violence," said Humane Society spokeswoman Eve Holt. "No community can allow violence to go on just because some people consider this entertainment."

The ads were paid for by a $15,000 grant from Sophie Russel Testamentary Trust and encourages those who know about cockfighting activity in their neighborhoods to call police. The radio spot says cockfighting teaches that "cruelty and suffering are OK," and goes on to say: "Well, it's not OK. And your community won't truly be OK while cockfighting is there. Don't ignore it."

Honolulu police officers said tips from residents helped them raid two large cockfighting events in Waipahu earlier this year. Both raids took place on Pahu Street, the more recent one in June involving up to 120 people.

"Sometimes if the games get real big, organized crime moves in, and you get everything that comes with that," said Sgt. Aaron Farias of Waipahu's Weed and Seed program. "Drug deals go on; there's extortion, assaults and weapons because big money is involved.

"Some people are winning six figures."

The radio spots will also be followed by several insert ads in small local newspapers such as the West Oahu Current, Oahu Island News and the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle. The print ads are scheduled to begin next month.

"We're also starting to make appointments with neighborhood boards to pass fliers out," Holt said. "We felt that the successes of the Weed and Seed program gave us a real good foundation, and now we want to build on that."

Farias said that before the raids, police received several cockfight-related complaints in March and April, most of them relating to noise and parking problems. But despite all the people attending, arrests were limited.

"There were people selling food, beer, providing electricity - indirect support," he said. "But we were only able to catch those directly involved in the cockfights or in possession of illegal gaffs (metal spurs attached to the roosters' legs).

"There are some laws, but it's difficult to apply in those cases."

Four men were arrested and charged in connection with an April 8 raid on Pahu Street. The charges include conspiracy to commit cruelty to animals and prohibited gaffs.

Police recovered 29 gaffs at the scene.

Despite the laws, cockfighting remains a popular sport, with some local breeders even advertising online.

One Web site described a particular breed of rooster: "If you tied your knife good his oponet (opponent) will be dead in the air."

Holt said: "Can we eliminate all cockfighting? I don't know. We would certainly hope so. Hopefully, with people's help, we can."