Sixty-something from Hoeselt sentenced to 8,000 euros fine for cockfight (Hoeselt)

On January 11, 2020, the Bilzen-Hoeselt-Riemst police raided the home of the man in his sixties after an anonymous report was made about a cockfight on the man’s property. Several vehicles were parked in the street and when the officers walked into the driveway, dozens of men fled into the woods surrounding the house.

According to the public prosecutor, the reason was clear: a forbidden ‘match’ between two fighting cocks was taking place. “In the middle of the open space, a circle had been formed with sawdust, there were plumes everywhere, around thirty chairs were placed around the circle, there was a competition cup with cotton pads and disinfectant ready and there was a cord on the ground to keep track of the animals. to commit,” the prosecutor said last month during the hearing of the case. According to findings, there was a rooster in the stables with its claws tied. Another rooster had visible wounds with fresh blood on the comb and eyes. Furthermore, the prosecutor also referred to the telephone investigation that revealed text messages in which those present talked about a ‘match’.

Arena with sawdust

Many alleged spectators were able to escape the police, but the man in his sixties and three other attendees were questioned. During the trial before the Tongeren judge, she emphasized that a cockfight took place. “It was my birthday party where roosters were exchanged. There was some drinking and chatting. Everything else is bullshit in packs”, said Sylvain Hollants himself. He also denied that an arena with sawdust was provided. “That circle served to contain chicks and a mother hen so that they cannot run away.”

A childhood friend of the man in his sixties, who, according to the prosecutor, was present as a spectator, also said he knew nothing about a cockfight. “I just went to celebrate my buddy’s birthday. I even brought a little rooster as a gift. It was a special species for which I drove all around Limburg.” The counselor of the ‘organiser’, master Philippe Thiery, spoke of tunnel vision. “No one has seen a rooster fight,” he said.

Human cruelty

Nevertheless, the Tongeren judge is convinced that a cockfight was taking place due to the various observations made by the officers, such as the layout of the site and the cocks found with metal spurs and injuries. “The fact that the police were not able to visually observe a cockfight does not alter this conclusion,” the verdict reads.

The judge also points out the horror associated with such a fight, where roosters have to fight to the death. “Persons who organize or participate in such animal fights have a blatant disrespect for the life of the animal. This is only done out of an extreme form of human cruelty and with a view to pure financial gain as big money is bet on the winning rooster during the fights. The animal suffering caused by this is immense and cannot in any way be tolerated in a society where animal welfare plays an important role.”

He sentenced the man in his sixties to a prison sentence of one month and a fine of 8,000 euros, with half deferred. The three attendees receive fines of 2,400 euros, also with half deferred. GAIA filed a civil action and received compensation of 37 euros.

Disappointment

Hollants reacted with disappointment to the verdict. “It’s all very strange, because there were more than fifty of us and only the four of us had to appear in court. Something just isn’t right. I don’t know yet whether I will appeal. I have to discuss that with my lawyer.”

The Hoeselten resident has now put aside his hobby as a rooster breeder. “I no longer have roosters or chickens, everything has been torn down. It was a passion of mine and I certainly miss it. I bred beautiful roosters that were suddenly taken away and crammed into small cages. I think that is very bad.”

During the raid, police seized 28 roosters. The animals were euthanized in the meantime.