Officers find dozens of roosters used in cockfighting

Law enforcement officers in Jefferson County have seized about 80 roosters they say were part of a cockfighting ring operating in a remote area in Port Acres.

Investigators say they were acted on a tip. and shortly before noon Wednesday, Port Arthur Police, Constable Eddie Collins and Port Arthur Environmental Control officers uncovered the operation in a wooded area in the 84 hundred block of Wilson near FM 365 in Port Acres.

They say the operators had cleared away trees and created a road leading to the compound where dozens of roosters, some of them dead, were discovered.  They found a syringe and drugs used on the roosters.

Authorities say it's clear the roosters had recently fought.  They have identified a suspect.  They say it's a person with whom they've dealt in the past for cockfighting.

Anthony Mitchell, supervisor of Port Arthur Animal Control, said organizers of cockfighting rings are increasingly seeking remote locations because of publicity surrounding the practice and the focus of law enforcement on the crime.  Mitchell says authorities have busted four cockfighting operations this year in the Port Arthur area.  He says this is one of the largest. 

Cockfighting is against state law.

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