Deputies in Hunt County arrested more than 20 people accused of having roosters fight. Cockfighting is illegal in Texas. NBC 5’s Sophia Beausoleil reports the SPCA of Texas recovered 65 of those roosters used for fighting.
Deputies in Hunt County arrested 21 people and rescued dozens of roosters while investigating reports of a cockfighting operation on Sunday afternoon.
According to the Hunt County Sheriff's Office, deputies arrived at about 1:40 p.m. and found an estimated 100 people attending cockfights being held on rural property along the 600 block of Hunt County Road 1006.
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WATCH HEREThe sheriff's office said the crowd scattered as deputies arrived, but that 21 people were detained, arrested, and charged with cockfighting.
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SIGN UP After obtaining a search warrant, the sheriff's office said its Criminal Investigations Division and the Texas SPCA of Texas were at the scene.
More than 60 live animals were rescued, including some that were injured.
"I cannot fathom what mindset you'd have, to make two birds fight to the death in such a gruesome manner," said Maura Davies, Vice President of Marketing and Communications Department for the SPCA of Texas.
The sheriff's office said 10 dead roosters were on the property along with fighting pits with gaffs and sharp blades that the sheriff's office said are commonly used in fighting operations.
Davies said roosters naturally have 'spurs' on their legs, but are sometimes cut off.
"Sometimes they are replaced with one to three inch long blades. Some are curved, some are straight, those are designed to make a fight bloodier faster, explained Davies. "But it's a very brutal fight, and it's to the death. So it's just, it's horrific to see these beautiful birds being forced by humans to fight to the death with pain and suffering."
Investigators also found scales, a training dummy, syringes, first aid supplies, antibiotics and various performance-enhancing supplements were also found.
"The reality of fighting roosters is hard. These guys are born and bred to fight. They are pumped with chemicals, everything from hormones to vitamins to antibiotics to make them more vicious," explained Davies.
According to the SPCA of Texas, investigators also discovered an indoor arena with fighting rings and holding pens with blood and feathers.
Davies said the sheriff's office gave them a call to retrieve the birds.
“It's hard to imagine how humans can do this to an animal when you know and you see a rooster that's bleeding out on the ground thrown away like trash," said Davies.
The SPCA of Texas took temporary custody of the 65 living roosters and said the animals were being evaluated by medical staff and cared for until a civil custody hearing takes place next Wednesday in Hunt County.
Davies said they also brought back the 10 dead roosters from the property.
She said some of the live roosters they recovered had to be euthanized due to the extent of their injuries.
"There were about 12 that were in such horrific shape after being fought, allegedly yesterday, that they were humanely euthanized last night so they would not suffer anymore. These roosters suffered catastrophic wounds," explained Davies.
She said their veterinarian will evaluate all the birds. The deceased ones will receive a necropsy, an autopsy for animals. That information will be presented during the custody hearing next week.
Depending on their level of involvement, the Texas Penal Code states that punishment for anyone found guilty of cockfighting can range from a state jail felony to a Class A or Class C misdemeanor.
As for the civil case, the bird owners could file an appeal if a judge strips away their custody.
If that happens, Davies said the birds could be awarded to the SPCA of Texas
"Unless there is a sanctuary, which we currently do not have a partner who's able to take on this many roosters. The hard part is, because of what people have done to them, they may very well be euthanized so that they're not a danger to themselves or others," said Davies about the birds born and bred to fight.
On the SPCA of Texas website, they've posted pictures, which may be disturbing to some, to highlight the conditions the birds were in.
They've also provide resources regarding animal cruelty laws.
"I think for me, seeing this so many times over the years, it never gets easier. It's always harder because, you know, they've suffered, and that's just horrific. So again, thanks to the law, these people can be potentially held accountable," said Davies.
"No matter what form of animal cruelty you think might be happening, if you see something, please say something. Please call your local law enforcement authorities, because if you're very worried about an animal, they there just might be cruelty involved," said Davies.
A group called Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals and Kindness (SHARK), said in a news release on Monday that groups of concerned citizens sent tips regarding the cockfighting operation in Hunt County.
“We applaud the Hunt County Sheriff and his team for responding to our urgent call that there was a cockfight in progress — breaking up the fight, causing cockfighters to scatter, and apprehending nearly two dozen perpetrators,” said Kevin Chambers, a senior investigator for Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “No county should tolerate this malicious animal cruelty, which is a felony under state and federal law.”
“We received a credible tip of a fight in Hunt County, and we are grateful to the Sheriff and his deputies for responding with urgency to stop more bloodletting,” said Steve Hindi, president of SHARK.
