PEARLAND, Texas – Brazoria County deputies on Sunday arrested 50 people and seized 165 birds when they raided a large cockfighting operation, authorities said.
Investigators said someone called the Sheriff’s Office about 2 p.m. Sunday and told deputies about the rooster fighting operation in the 17700 block of Wells Drive near Pearland.
Deputies said there were a large number of vehicles and people at the scene when they arrived. Dozens of live roosters and as many as 50 dead roosters were also found at the scene, deputies said.
Three of the 50 people who were arrested were charged with a felony of cockfighting, while the remaining 47 people were charged with a misdemeanor of cockfighting.
The three charged with the felonies were identified as Hermino Lopez Leija, 55; Ramirro Rivera, 34 and Jesus Carlos Rueda, 27, all of Alvin. Deputies said it is believed the men benefited from the fights, which constitutes a felony.
Attending a cockfight is a misdemeanor, deputies said.
The birds that were seized are being housed at the Sheriff’s Office Animal Control division, and a hearing will determine what will happen to them, deputies said.