Over 50 birds rescued from cockfighting ring in NE Houston backyard

Law enforcement officials discovered a secret cockfighting ring operating out of a backyard in northeast Houston.

Acting on a tip from the public, animal cruelty investigators with Harris County Pct. 1 executed a search warrant on a residence located on Heatherside St. near the Pelham Place neighborhood.

With the assistance of Houston SPCA, officers recovered 56 roosters, chickens and chicks from the home. On top of finding cockfighting paraphernalia, the birds did not have access to food or water, and many appeared to have injuries associated with cockfights. The corpse of a small puppy was also recovered from the backyard.

Three people were detained and questioned about the horrific scene, but they were later released. Pct. 1 Constable Alan Rosen said the investigation is ongoing, and investigators are working to determine who all was involved in the animal cruelty.

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The case will soon be handed over to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for next steps.