Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley approved 50-year Mara Duran from Doylestown for entry into a supervised Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program for 12 months. Duran was accused of operating an illegal cockfighting ring with her husband, Manfid Duran, in Plumstead. Judge Finley approved Mara Duan for a special first-time offender program.
If she completes the program successfully, Duan could seek to have her arrest record expunged.
The Durans were each charged with 51 felony and misdemeanors and as many summary animal neglect charges for operating a large-scale animal fighting venture. Manfid Duran will have his next court appearance in the coming week.
The animal fighting ring was uncovered when Plumstead police received a noise complaint and interrupted an alleged cockfight in progress. According to a probable cause affidavit, they found numerous vehicles and balloons tied to the mailbox.
One of the officers heard what sounded like numerous roosters and noticed cages lining the back and side walls outside a detached garage on the property.
The officer looked inside the building and saw a large dirt-filled pit surrounded by three-foot-high plywood walls. Inside the pit were two roosters fighting and at least 20 men surrounding the pit. The officer also noticed at least one dead rooster in the corner of the garage.
According to authorities, when the men inside noticed the officers, they ran out of the building. Police apprehended 21-year-old Cesar Cordova-Morales who was charged with animal fighting and possession of animal fighting paraphernalia. Records show that he was also approved for the ARD program that Judge Finley allowed Duran to enter.
Bucks County SPCA officers found cages and carriers containing birds with no food, and their only accessible water was frozen. Court documents detailed that bodies of dead roosters were found behind the garage as well.
Additionally, authorities found items associated with gambling and cockfighting, including a scale, spurs, zip ties, bolt cutters, and vitamins for fighting roosters. There was also a black rooster in great distress lying in the corner of the garage. While the injured bird was taken to an emergency veterinarian, it also died from its injuries three days later.
Bucks County removed a total of 49 birds from the property, including roosters. The Durans have since been evicted according to court records.
