Law enforcement in Arizona have arrested the alleged ringleader of a cockfighting ring, along with two other individuals. Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call on Saturday afternoon after a property owner reported suspicious activity taking place on his land while he was out of town.
people fled upon the arrival of deputies
A neighbor gave the heads up, describing how several vehicles were on the land, and that people were screaming in the backyard. Many people fled upon the arrival of deputies. Footage of the scene is available online:
The authorities found a cockfighting operation, including a fighting ring, 34 live roosters, and seven dead ones. A spokesperson for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said that they had to euthanize all of the live roosters. Some of them had knives attached to their limbs, typical of the barbaric sport.
There was also a board displaying wagers, as well as wins and losses. Jesus Valenzuela allegedly organized what was to be a multi-day event. He was in charge of all the money, with help from his right-hand man, Miguel Pelajio. Ruben Zavala was reportedly in charge of security and collecting the entry fees.
Deputies found Pelajio hiding inside a pontoon boat. Zavala claimed that he had been taking a nap after doing some cleaning in the yard.
The trio face cockfighting-related charges, as the sport was banned in Arizona in 1998. Engaging in the activity is a Class 5 felony and attending one is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Talking to Fox 5, Animal Wellness Action president Wayne Pacelle said that people sometimes bet tens of thousands of dollars on a single derby.
