Plumstead Police break up cockfighting ring operating on Easton Road property; what we know
A 21-year-old Chester County man is facing a felony animal fighting charge and more arrests are expected after police reportedly uncovered a large-scale cockfighting ring operating in Plumstead.
The Bucks County SPCA obtained a search warrant Sunday for the nearly 4-acre property in the 1000 block of North Easton Road after Plumstead police discovered what appeared to be an animal fighting arena.
The animal welfare agency removed 49 roosters, hens and young chickens found on the property, according to a press release Monday. Another four roosters were found dead inside a barrel.
Plumstead police went to the property Sunday morning to investigate an anonymous report of an active cockfighting ring when they heard roosters in the area of a detached two-car garage on the grounds.
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The officers checked the garage and they saw two roosters fighting in a ring built in the garage, as well as cages and several roosters, said police and the SPCA. Inside the garage they saw two dozen men participating or watching cockfighting.
The men ran when they saw police, the affidavit said.
One of the suspected participants, Cesar Cordova-Morales, of Oxford, was arrested and police found he had animal fighting paraphernalia in a satchel he was carrying. The items included razor blades, two bottles of animal-performance enhancing drugs, leg tags, and other items commonly used in cockfighting, police and the SPCA said.
Cordova-Morales was arraigned Sunday on a felony count of animal fighting and a misdemeanor count of possession of animal fighting paraphernalia before District Judge Michael Petrucci. He is currently incarcerated in Bucks County Correctional Center in lieu of 10% of $50,000 bail.
Additional individuals are expected to be charged, Bucks County SPCA Chief Humane officer Nikki Thompson said. The animal welfare agency announced it would be closing its Quakertown shelter at 1 p.m. Monday in response to the influx of animals.
The property where the alleged animal fighting operation was discovered is owned by a trust in the name of Thomas Heibel, according to county property records.
Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states and it is a felony to participate in the activity including attending fights, the SPCA said.
When animal welfare officers arrived at the property Sunday they found two bloodied roosters loose and apparently injured from recent fighting, the SPCA said in a press release Monday. The other animals were kept in cages and small boxes in and around the garage. Two other roosters were found in a locked vehicle in the driveway.
The caged animals had no food, inadequate shelter and frozen water bowls, the SPCA said. Many roosters had their combs and wattles cut off, a common practice with birds used for fighting, the agency said. Other roosters appeared to have injuries including deep puncture wounds, likely the result of fighting.
Humane officers found razor-sharp metal blades, known as spurs, that are tied to the rooster's legs to inflict the maximum harm on opponents, the agency 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,” BCSPCA Executive Director Linda Reider said. “We will remain tireless in our efforts to bring those responsible to justice while we care for these injured and abused animals.”
The community can donate to BCSPCA’s Animal Relief Fund help provide for their care. Anyone with information about this case, or any possible case of cruelty and neglect in Bucks County, should report what they know at 844-SPCA-Tip (844-772-2847) or reportcruelty@buckscountyspca.org.
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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Animal fighting ring busted; what police found at Plumstead property
