Salt Lake County Animal Services is giving the owner of a rooster coop 24 hours before taking nearly 50 roosters and several hens into custody.
The situation was uncovered Thursday by Salt Lake City Fire officials who responded to a small grass fire started by a train near 300 South and Redwood Road. The crew noticed the small structure nearby and a man feeding the roosters and they approached him with questions.
"When they asked him what was going on with the roosters, he jumped in his truck and took off," said Salt Lake County Animal Services Lt. Troy Wood.
An investigation of the property revealed the roosters, several with pecking sores, and a German shepherd in the fenced compound.
"The dog was on about a 6-foot chain and there was food present but no water," Wood said. "And about four dead roosters, one of them floating in a barrel of water."
The dog and one badly injured rooster were impounded for the night and a notice was posted on the door, giving the owner one day to contact police. Wood said if the owner doesn't contact police, all of the animals will be taken into custody tonight and the facility shut down.
Police found no material proof that the roosters were used for fighting, as there was no paraphernalia in the shed. But they're calling it very suspicious, Wood said.