Officials in Pennsylvania said police broke up a live cockfight over the weekend and arrested an accused organizer at the scene while also confiscating nearly 50 roosters.
Plumstead Township Police took Cesar Cordova-Morales, 21, into custody on animal-fighting charges Sunday after the Bucks County SPCA said they joined officers to crack down on the active cockfight.
The SPCA said Mr. Cordova-Morales was carrying a satchel full of steroids, cutting instruments, artificial metal spurs and other items commonly associated with cockfighting when arrested. The suspect was arraigned and is being held on a $50,000 bond.
The anti-animal cruelty nonprofit said police received an anonymous tip about a live cockfight taking place inside a two-car garage at a Doylestown home.
A crowd of roughly two dozen people scattered when officers showed up, the SPCA said, except for Mr. Cordova-Morales.
Officials found two bloodied roosters running loose at the scene after apparently just having finished a fight — as well as another 47 roosters, hens and pullets that were kept in cages around the garage and inside a car in the driveway. The nonprofit said four dead roosters were found in a barrel behind the garage.
“It is hard to believe that people can be so cruel as to raise and fight animals to the death for amusement and personal gain,” Linda Reider, the executive director for the Bucks County SPCA, said in a statement. “We will remain tireless in our efforts to bring those responsible to justice while we care for these injured and abused animals.”
The SPCA said the animals were malnourished and had deep puncture wounds, and most of the roosters had their combs and wattles removed, which is a sign they were used in cockfights.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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