Animal fighting alleged in Bleecker

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

New York State Police Senior Investigator Karl D. Meybaum stands near the cache of drugs, guns, money and cock-fighting paraphernalia at the state police barracks in Fultonville on Friday morning.

Four family members were arrested Thursday after a lengthy investigation and face charges related to cockfighting, possession of a large amount of marijuana and illegal firearms.

A search warrant was executed Thursday at the family’s residence at 1284 County Route 125 in Bleecker. Seventy-one roosters were discovered and turned over to the Humane Society, which was integral to the investigation.

Also discovered during the search, said state police, were 40 pounds of marijuana, 12 illegally held long guns, one handgun and thousands of dollars in currency.

“They were in the business of breeding, raising and selling them,” state police Public Information Officer Trooper Maureen Tuffey said of the birds. “We are still investigating as to what extent the business went to, so we don’t have the whole investigation done yet, but we got enough to make arrests.”

All four men lived at and operated the bird-fighting enterprise from the same address. Officials said it’s not unusual to find guns and drugs alongside animal-fighting operations.

Police charged Wayne D. Harvey Sr., 61, with first-degree criminal possession of marijuana and permitting animal fighting, both felonies. They also charged him with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and unlawfully growing cannabis, both misdemeanors.

Wayne A. Harvey Jr., 41, was charged with permitting animal fighting, a felony; fourth-degree possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, a misdemeanor; and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.

Wayne J. Harvey, 19, was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Arthur J. Harvey, 66, was charged with misdemeanor fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and the violation of unlawful possession of marijuana.

Police began their investigation into suspected criminal activity at the rural home seven months ago, after a large amount of money being shipped out of the area was intercepted, said a state police official.

Gloversville police Capt. Donald Van Deusen said National Guard and state police aviation units conducted aerial surveillance of the secluded property, which was crucial to the investigation. He said more arrests could stem from the ongoing investigation.

Van Deusen said this is the first he has ever known of bird fighting in the area and that the Bleecker property offered enough seclusion for neighbors not to hear anything.

State police in Fonda held a news conference Friday morning detailing the investigation. They were assisted by members of the Fulton County Drug Task Force, Gloversville Police Department and The Humane Society of the United States, based in Washington.

Chris Schindler, animal fighting investigations manager for The Humane Society, said none of the seized animals required emergency medical attention, but veterinarians will be examining each of them soon.

“This property in particular was very secluded,” said Schindler, the investigator on the case. “It would be very hard for people to know what was going on there, unless there were maybe large amounts of traffic going through the area. The locations where these fights are tend to be more rural areas.”

The seized animals are being kept at an undisclosed location for their own protection, Schindler said. Oftentimes, the individuals who fight them attempt to steal them back. The activity of cock fighting is extremely brutal, Schindler said. Owners cut off the rooster’s spurs and strap on metal spikes, essentially exploiting the animal’s natural fighting method.

“That’s how roosters naturally fight is with those spurs,” he said. “And the level of injuries these animals sustain is incredibly tremendous. But it’s all about money and gambling, so that’s the incentive for a lot of these folks to participate, the large sums of money that they can get.”

Wayne D. Harvey Sr. and Wayne A. Harvey Jr. were arraigned before a judge and sent to Fulton County Jail in lieu of bail. Harvey Sr. is in on $25,000 cash bail and $50,000 bond. Harvey Jr. is being held on $10,000 cash bail and $20,000 bond.

Wayne J. Harvey and Arthur Harvey were both issued appearance tickets to appear in Bleecker Town Court at a later date.