Raid on Johnson County cockfighting site leads to nine arrests, 19 roosters seized

A raid on a Johnson County cockfighting operation ended Sunday with nine people arrested and 19 roosters seized.

But, authorities reported, an unknown number of people ran into nearby woods and an undetermined number of roosters were released into the woods, evading officials.

Those arrested face charges of cockfighting, being spectators at a cockfight and possession of cockfighting paraphernalia, according to Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford in a news release.

The investigation began Friday when a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper provided information to detectives with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office about a cockfighting operation at sand pits just south of Texas 171.

On Saturday, detectives and the DPS trooper verified the information by finding the site near the highway and County Road 307 and County Road 421.

Deputies, DPS troopers and officials with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department went to the site Sunday, stopping three vehicles containing the type of boxes used to transport fighting roosters. One person from a vehicle fled to the woods as authorities raided the operation in the sand pits.

Authorities observed people running into the woods and captured nine.

Officials confiscated 19 roosters, which were taken to the Humane Society of North Texas.

“At this time, we are housing them and caring for them until a court date is set for the case,” HSNT spokeswoman Whitney Hanson said Tuesday in an email.

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 2:48 PM with the headline "Raid on Johnson County cockfighting site leads to nine arrests, 19 roosters seized."