A Plumstead man has been arrested in connection with a cockfight at a residential property on North Easton Road.
Manfid Duran, 49, is out on bail and awaiting a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 18 in the court of District Justice Gary Gambardella. Duran faces a slew of charges, including 46 counts of felony animal fighting for the owning, possessing or selling of animals for fighting, 46 counts of neglect of animals for lack of sustenance and water, which is a summary offense.
More arrests are possible and the investigation, which began in an anonymous tip, is ongoing.
On Feb. 18, police responded to the property and discovered that a cockfight was taking place in a detached garage on the North Easton Road property. Police said they found two roosters fighting in a ring and about two dozen spectators, who quickly dispersed when officers arrived.
Police detained one — Cesar Cordova-Morales — who was reportedly carrying a satchel containing several bottles of steroids, cutting instruments, string, artificial metal spurs, spur covers and other items commonly used in cockfighting, according to officials with the Bucks County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
As cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states, Cordova-Morales was arrested. Police charged him with possession of animal fighting paraphernalia and for paying admission to attend animal fighting, according to court documents. He awaits a preliminary hearing that’s scheduled for March 11.
SPCA officials who responded to the scene reported that they found two bloodied roosters running loose, 44 additional roosters, hens and pullets in cages and small boxes in and around the garage, and two more in a locked vehicle in the driveway. They also found four dead roosters 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.
The SPCA relocated the animals to a safe place and gave them fresh food and water and is continuing to care for them.
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