SECAUCUS AND BEYOND — A Newark man was in the process of being charged on Friday afternoon with 26 counts of alleged animal cruelty, after Secaucus police staked out a 30-foot trailer on Secaucus Road, east of County Avenue, and caught him with 26 roosters, Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli said.
“He’s being charged and arraigned presently, with no bail set yet,” Gonnelli said at 4:16 p.m.
Police had been at a site behind a seafood store most of Friday after they received an anonymous telephone call in the morning, Gonnelli said. An animal cruelty investigator from the Hudson Regional Health Commission was present.
The animals had an insufficient supply of food and water, according to the mayor.
“All the roosters were shaved. They were all in separate cages,” Gonnelli said. “It seems like they were in anticipation of cock fights.”
The 26 animals confiscated did not include several on the outside of the trailer which could not be caught, according to Gonnelli.
Late Friday afternoon, the municipal court was processing the suspect.
“The town is confiscating the animals and will be seeking full restitution for all expenses incurred by the municipality as a result of these offenses,” Gonnelli said.
Temporary shelter was being set up for the animals at a Clinton-area farm.
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