Credit: Bucks County SPCA
A cockfighting operation was uncovered in Central Bucks County over the weekend, leading to the arrest of one individual and the rescue of dozens of animals, authorities announced.
Plumstead Township police and humane society police officers from the Bucks County SPCA responded to a report of an active cockfight at a property on North Easton Road Sunday afternoon following an anonymous tip.
At the scene, officers discovered two roosters fighting in a makeshift ring within a two-car garage, police said.
A crowd of approximately 25 people fled the scene, but Cesar Cordova-Morales, 21, of Chester County, was detained, authorities said.
Cordova-Morales was found in possession of a satchel filled with several bottles of steroids, cutting instruments, string, artificial metal spurs, spur covers, and additional items commonly utilized in cockfighting, authorities said.
The Bucks County SPCA released a statement detailing the scene officers encountered: “Our team arrived to find two bloodied roosters who were loose and injured from their recent fighting. There were 44 additional roosters, hens, and pullets kept in cages and small boxes in and around the garage, and 2 more who were recovered from a locked vehicle in the driveway. Sadly, four recently deceased roosters were found in a barrel behind the garage.”
The animals were found without food, adequate shelter, and with frozen water bowls. Many exhibited injuries consistent with fighting, including deep puncture wounds, and had undergone mutilation typical of birds used for cockfighting, such as having their combs and wattles cut off, authorities said.
Cockfighting, an activity illegal in all 50 states, involves roosters fighting to the death, often equipped with razor-sharp blades attached to their legs.
The Bucks County SPCA successfully relocated all 49 animals to safety by early Sunday evening.
“There was quite a joyful ruckus in the barn when they each received fresh food and water. The shelter will continue to house and care for these birds throughout the duration of this ongoing investigation,” the Bucks County SPCA said.
“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,” said Bucks County SPCA Executive Director Linda Reider. “We will remain tireless in our efforts to bring those responsible to justice while we care for these injured and abused animals.”
Cordova-Morales was charged late Sunday afternoon with a felony count of animal fighting and a misdemeanor charge of animal fighting paraphernalia. He was held by on-call District Judge Mick Petrucci on 10 percent of $50,000.
The Bucks County SPCA urges the community to contribute to their Animal Relief Fund to support the care of the rescued animals.
The Bucks County SPCA encourages anyone with information about this case or any other instances of cruelty and neglect to contact them at 844-SPCA-Tip (844-772-2847) or reportcruelty@buckscountyspca.org.
Publisher Tom Sofield contributed to this report.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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