Deputies of the Pima County Sheriff’s Department (PCSD) responded to reports of cockfighting on a property near Cactus Apple Lane and Old Vail Road in Tucson, Arizona. Upon arrival, the deputies found a large group of people gathered, as well as evidence of what appeared to be cockfighting.
Cockfighting is illegal in Arizona and is categorized as a class 5 felony.
According to the report by the PCSD, the authorities had a search warrant and made multiple arrests on the premises. The arrests were on charges of cockfighting, possession of a fighting rooster, narcotics possession, driving under the influence, outstanding warrants, and intentional animal cruelty, the agency said.
Apart from making several arrests, the authorities were also able to recover more than 150 animals on the property. These included roosters, hens, chicks, dogs, and a tortoise. According to Deputy Gordon Downing, Pima County Sheriff’s spokesman, many of the roosters had injuries and some were dead. The animals were taken to the Pima Animal Care Center.
The Sheriff’s Department said the case remained ongoing.
In a statement regarding the bust, the agency stated that they are aggressively pursuing these types of cases. The agency also urged anyone with information regarding the incident to call 911.
