Cock Fighting Attendees Handed Sentences in Knox City Court

Thirty-three cock fight enthusiasts were sentenced in Knox City Court Thursday. The men were charged with a misdemeanor count of Attending an Animal Fighting Contest. They attended a cock fight in Starke County in February.

Judge Charles Hasnerl fined the men $200 apiece, plus $180 in restitution to the Starke County Humane Society for putting the roosters down, and $164 in court costs.  Each individual was also given a 12 month suspended sentence.

In all, 58 were scheduled for sentencing Thursday. 13 were waiting on attorneys and others didn’t show up.

The men were prosecuted by Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff and his Deputy, Jonathan Pratt.