140 Roosters Rescued From Cockfighting Ring

By Myles Collier, Christian Post Contributor Thursday, January 19, 2012

A large cockfighting ring in southern Texas was busted earlier this week and involved over 100 roosters.

The officials that broke up the cockfighting ring, which was just outside of San Antonio, cited more than 70 people with a wide-range of charges and also seized about 140 live roosters.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office also stated that officers had confiscated numerous blades that were used as weapons when placed around the legs of the roosters as well as several cages, harnesses and about $42,000.

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Authorities also stated that a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter was used in Sunday's raid in southwest Bexar County to help find suspects who fled the scene.

The raid targeted a property on Sunday near Loop 1604 in Southwest Bexar County after confirming from various sources that a number of people had convened there to bet on rooster fights, according to Deputy Chief Dale Bennett.

The San Antonio Express-News reported that deputies had impounded 26 vehicles which were left unclaimed after the alleged participants tried to escape. The sheriff’s office said the vehicles will remain in the impound lot pending identification by their owners, Bennett said.

As officers entered the building that was used for the fights officials stated the large crowd quickly dispersed and scurried away from the arena and pen area.

Authorities also claim that several individuals that were on the premises attempted to drive away while others were running trying to catch them, according to Bennett.

Animal Care Services helped remove the 160 roosters which also included about 20 dead ones, Bennett said.