Cockfighting - 38 birds found, 25 men arrested
La Feria, TX (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Jan 13, 2007
County: Cameron
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
Cameron County sheriff's deputies arrested more than two dozen men after raiding a home in the far western part of the county north of La Feria Jan 13 night, where an illegal cockfight was taking place.
Investigators said that there was an illegal cockfight going on behind the home, located in the 11000 block of Tio Cano Road.
Deputies arrested 25 men and put them inside a bus bound for the Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center.
The men are accused of illegal gambling and animal cruelty, authorities said.
"I (saw) a lot of officers go by," said Alma Garcia, a Cameron County resident. "And then, we followed them to see where they were going and they were going to some rooster fight that they had down the street. And they got pretty serious out there. They went to the back of the house and everything. There were a lot of people out there."
Garcia lives nearby where the raid occurred and said that it was kind of scary.
She said that this wasn't the first time deputies have raided homes in the neighborhood for illegal cock fighting.
"I don't think it's just that one house. Pretty much they're around here because they all gather there every weekend," she said. "And it's about time something was done about it. And it's dangerous. We don't know what's going on. If it's just that or if it's anything else involved at the same time."
Sheriff's deputies said that a Crime Stoppers tip led them to the home, which along with the men, also netted 38 roosters, which will be turned over animal control officials.
Garcia said that she hopes the bust sends out a message to others engaged in cockfighting.
To stop doing that maybe, because it's illegal and they shouldn't be doing that," she said. "It's against the law."
Sheriff's deputies said that the men are expected to be arraigned on Jan 14. References« TX State Animal Cruelty Map
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