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Van Zandt County · Crime Or Public Safety

181 birds reportedly seized in Van Zandt County raid; custody hearing set for July 22

The 174 roosters and seven hens were reportedly taken to Dallas for veterinary care ahead of a July 22 civil custody hearing in Canton.

Published 1 minute read
Van Zandt County Courthouse in Canton, Texas, viewed from across the street; file photo.
Photo: Larry D. Moore / Wikimedia Commons | source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vanzandt_courthouse_2010.jpg | license: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0). Source: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vanzandt_courthouse_2010.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a>. License: <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0">Open-license terms</a>. Image cropped and overlaid with a headline by DFW Daily Brief.

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A civil custody hearing is scheduled for July 22 in Canton after authorities reportedly seized 181 birds during a raid on an alleged cockfighting operation in Van Zandt County.

The seized animals — 174 roosters and seven hens — were reportedly taken to the SPCA of Texas’ Dallas rescue center for veterinary care. The breakdown accounts for the 181 birds described elsewhere as “nearly 200.”

What happens next

The July 22 hearing concerns custody of the birds. Separately, the criminal investigation was reportedly continuing when the arrest and seizures were announced.

Authorities reportedly arrested Grand Saline resident Justin Blake Hart and charged him with cockfighting, a state-jail felony. The raid also reportedly resulted in the seizure of $55,000, vehicles, trailers, electronic devices and alleged cockfighting equipment.

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