Police are questioning a bar owner in connection with certain suspicious activities allegedly taking place at the business establishment.
Around 5 pm on Sunday, December 1, Police and Immigration Officers searched a property at St. George’s Street and found 17 fowls, along with other items and paraphernalia, suspected to be used for cockfighting.
A total of 52 people, including 5 females, 42 males, and 5 juveniles, between ages 10 and 16 were taken into custody.
The bar owner and four others remain in police custody, while three persons were detained by immigration. The remaining persons were released pending further investigations, including the juveniles who were released in the care of their parents.
Cockfighting is a blood sport involving the use of domestic fowl, which is illegal in Antigua and Barbuda.
Anyone involved in such activity is committing an offence under the Protection of Animals Act, Cap 349 of the Laws of Antigua and Barbuda.
Members of the public are warned to desist from these illegal practices and to report such inhumane behaviour to the police without delay.
