Near 40 people arrested in West Valley cockfight

by Ofelia Madrid -
May. 15, 2010 07:52 PM
The Arizona Republic

As many as 40 people were taken into custody Saturday after Maricopa County Sheriff's detectives broke up a cockfight in the West Valley, authorities said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Animal Cruelty Unit arrived at a property near Wintersburg and Baseline roads, near Tonopah, after a report of an organized cockfighting event, said Sheriff's spokeswoman Lindsey Smith.

When detectives arrived, a cockfight was in progress. Smith said many of the adults were watching and numerous roosters were found caged in parked vehicles.

Between 30 and 40 individuals were taken into custody to be interviewed. The majority are suspected to be illegal immigrants, Smith said.

The suspects face misdemeanor charges of facilitation of cockfighting and cockfight spectator.

http://www.azcentral.com/community/west ... alley.html