Rare ‘dragon’ chickens with huge feet smuggled into US, feds say. Woman charged
.png "A Texas woman has been charged for smuggling Dong Tao Chickens into the United States.")
A Texas woman has been charged after officials say she smuggled rare Vietnamese chickens and eggs into the United States.
The Aransas Pass woman was charged with smuggling goods into the U.S., court records show.
Authorities said between Aug. 1 and Sept. 15, 2023, the 46-year-old smuggled Vietnamese Dong Tao chicken eggs and hatchlings into the country, according to a July 1 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
Dong Tao chickens are known for having large, scaly feet, according to Poultry Producer. They typically sell for $2,000 each, “making them the second most expensive chicken breed in the world.”
The meat is known as “the most delicious of all chicken breeds” and served in luxury restaurants, according to Heritage Acres Market.
“They were also used for rituals in Vietnamese festivals such as the Tet Lunar at New Year, and this continues today,” the website said. “These birds had great significance in royal ceremonies and the rich, dark meat they provided for the emperor’s delight.”
Officials said the import of poultry from countries where pathogenic avian influenza or Newcastle disease exist in commercial poultry populations is illegal.
Dong Tao chickens are exclusive to one small village just outside of Hanoi, Vietnam, according to Business Insider. Each chicken requires special care and can take years of raising.
Because of the chickens’ health, authorities seized them and they had to be euthanized, officials said.
If convicted, the woman faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.
This story was originally published July 2, 2024 at 2:59 PM.
