Barry Myers faces 7 charges related to cock fighting. He was in court Tuesday for his initial hearing. His attorney, Zachary Witte, says the claims are wrong. Witte says “The allegations are false that he bought the birds for fighting, and he didn't fight his birds. They were his pets.”
Last Tuesday police served Myers a warrant based on an anonymous tip. It claimed, he used the birds to fight. He gave the birds over to police on Friday. Witte says his client was forced into the decision. Witte says “He didn't have a choice due to financial circumstances. Animal care and control wanted to charge him $420 per day to hold his birds and by the time this was all done he would have owed thousands of dollars.”
The birds were euthanized Friday night. Last week an employee of Animal Care and Control told us there's no reason to cut off a birds comb unless they are being used to fight. Several of the birds were missing their combs. Barry's lawyer says there are other reasons to explain why they were cut off. Witte says “You can buy birds that have already had that happen. Also sometimes birds are injured and those things have to be removed.”
Myers is out of jail on bond. He next court date is December 8th. He will likely go to trial next year.
