19 Men Busted in Canary Fight Ring

Police busted 19 men suspected of operating a canary fight ring in Connecticut, reports WFSB TV. Some 150 canaries and saffron finches were confiscated in Shelton. “There were 100 canaries fighting, and they were betting on them 'til they were dead. It’s absolutely shocking,” said a neighbor. Canaries are increasingly being used in illegal fights instead of roosters, said a police official.

They’ll fight to the death and they don’t make the noise that typical roosters make and they don’t smell,” he said. “They fall under the radar because we wouldn’t think it suspicious if people have a lot of canaries.” (More canaries stories.)