MEDIA RELEASE

Vice officers from the Hawaiʻi Police Department are asking for the public’s help in providing information about cockfighting.

Cockfighting involves attaching razor-sharp gaffs to the legs of roosters, which then are left to fight one or more opponents until all but one are either dead or so savagely wounded they cannot continue.

The “season” for this illegal activity traditionally runs from Thanksgiving through the July 4 weekend. Persons who participate are subject to arrest for gambling, cruelty to animals and possession of gambling records.

Police encourage the public to report any information about scheduled fights, their locations, or persons involved by calling Detective Chad Taniyama in West Hawaiʻi at 326-4646, extension 271, or Lieutenant Burt Shimabukuro at 961-2253.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 329-8181 in Kona or 961-8300 in Hilo and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.