CRACKDOWN ON COCKFIGHTING

Three arrested in two cockfighting busts

Three area residents were arrested and more than 100 birds were turned over to authorities in two separate cockfighting busts over the past two weeks, a Pima County Sheriff’s spokesperson said Tuesday.

On Aug. 29, Sheriff’s deputies arrested Jesus Contreras, 43, of Amado on cockfighting and drug paraphernalia charges. A total of 46 birds (29 roosters and 17 hens) were found on his property in the 28000 block of South Royal Drive.

Deputies discovered the birds, which had been physically altered for fighting, while they were there on an unrelated call.

Contreras had been arrested in 2006 for being present at a cockfight, public records show.

Sahuarita residents Manuel Estrada, 61, and his wife, Maria Estrada, 60, were arrested Wednesday after deputies found 75 cockfighting birds on their property in the 31000 block of East El Toro Rd. The couple initially showed authorities around the property and said the 49 roosters and 26 hens were “show birds.”

After a search warrant was issued, authorities found an undisclosed amount of money at the residence, which they believe may be related to a cockfighting ring. Bank records and VHS tapes were among the items taken into evidence, Sheriff’s reports said.

All birds were turned over to the Pima County Animal Control Center, reports said.

In both cases, the roosters’ combs, wattles and spurs had been removed.

In cockfighting, the comb and the wattle — the fleshy skin below the beak — are surgically removed to prevent profuse bleeding during a fight, according to the Humane Society of America.

In many cases, knife blades or curved metal spurs called “gaffs” are tied to the leg in the area where the bird’s spur has been removed.

Cockfighting and possession of birds for cockfighting are both class 2 felonies in Arizona with a penalty of up to two years in prison. Being a spectator at a cockfight is a misdemeanor that could bring fines of up to $25,000.

As of August, when a ban in Louisiana took effect, cockfighting is illegal in all 50 U.S. states. It has been illegal in Arizona since 1998.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726