More on the man convicted in animal cruelty for cockfighting case

A year-long case by the Joint Animal Services (JAS) Commission resulted in the conviction of a resident involved in an animal fighting operation.  

Martin Stanley Peters was convicted of two felony charges related to animal fighting in the state of Washington. Joint Animal Services Field Supervisor Sierra Teas reported the outcome of the Washington vs. Martin Stanley Peters case during a JASCOM meeting on September 9, 2024.  

Peters pled guilty to the Advancement of Animal Fighting, a Class C felony, and Mutilation of an Animal in Furtherance of Animal Fighting, a Class B felony.  

As part of his sentence, he was placed under home detention for 42 days on two concurrent terms. He was also ordered to pay $11,118.75 in restitution, with $10,118.75 allocated to animal services. 

The investigation began last year when JAS received an anonymous tip on August 8, 2023, about eight roosters tethered at a property in unincorporated Thurston County.  

The informant claimed the roosters were used for cockfighting and being transported across the country.  

On August 12, 2023, JAS Field Supervisor Sierra Teas and Field Officer Northrup, accompanied by Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) Deputy Burton-Crow, visited the property.  

At the time, a yard sale was taking place, allowing the officers to access the site.  

The officers conducted a welfare check and discovered around 40 roosters tethered to structures, many of which showed signs consistent with cockfighting, such as missing combs, wattles, and earlobes.  

An additional 23 chickens were found in various enclosures. 

Man was charged with animal cruelty after being found to use 63 chickens for cockfighting.

Burton-Crow obtained a search and seizure warrant after documenting evidence, and on August 19, JAS and TCSO returned to the property. The warrant was served, and 63 chickens were seized and transported to JAS for care.  

Among the chickens, 38 roosters had mutilated wattles, combs, and earlobes, and 30 had sharpened spurs, typical of animals involved in cockfighting. These findings were confirmed by Dr. Walsh, a veterinarian experienced with cockfighting cases, according to Teas. 

Following the seizure, a legal process determined that Peters would not retain ownership of the animals.  

The chickens were transferred to Rooster Haus and Center Valley Animal Rescue, where they were given new homes. 

Despite Peters' conviction, JAS noted that Washington's animal fighting laws, under RCW 16.52.117, do not include a provision prohibiting the convicted individual from owning animals in the future.