An anonymous tip led to the discovery of an active cockfight with 25 spectators inside a detached garage at a house in Plumstead Township Sunday, Bucks County SPCA officials said today.
Plumstead Township Police responded to the residential property in the 1000 block of North Easton Road to find two roosters fighting in a ring built inside the two-car garage. The crowd of about 25 people fled, except for Cesar Cordova-Morales who was detained by police, the SPCA said.
Cordova-Morales was carrying a satchel containing several bottles of steroids, cutting instruments, string, artificial metal spurs, spur covers, and other items commonly used in cockfighting, the SPCA said. He has been arraigned and is being held on $50,000 bail at the Bucks County Jail.
Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states.
BCSPCA was quickly called to the scene by police. Its team arrived to find two bloodied roosters who were loose and injured from their recent fighting. There were 44 additional roosters, hens, and pullets kept in cages and small boxes in and around the garage, and two more who were recovered from a locked vehicle in the driveway. In addition, four recently deceased roosters were found in a barrel behind the garage.
The caged animals had no food, inadequate shelter, and frozen water bowls. Many of the roosters had had their combs and wattles cut off, a common practice with birds used for fighting. Other roosters were found to have injuries and deep puncture wounds, likely the result of fighting. An investigation of the property turned up razor sharp metal blades (spurs) that are tied to the rooster’s legs to inflict maximum harm on their opponents.
This kind of “egregious animal cruelty” is a third-degree felony offense in Pennsylvania, the SPCA said. It is a federal offense to transport animals across state lines for the purpose of fighting. Those who seek to profit off animal fighting – as well as those who gamble on or attend such activities – are guilty of felony-level animal cruelty as well. Charges are pending against the residents of the property and those in attendance, the SPCA said.
BCSPCA relocated all of the live animals to safety by early Sunday evening. Each one now has a safe individual space without threat of harm. There was “quite a joyful ruckus” in the barn when they each received fresh food and water, the SPCA said. The shelter will continue to house and care for these birds throughout the duration of this ongoing investigation.
“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,” said BCSPCA Executive Director Linda Reider. “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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