Authorities arrested 25 people at a cockfight in Delco and rescued 52 live birds

Law enforcement officials arrested 25 people and rescued more than 50 live birds after breaking up an active cockfight in Delaware County over the weekend.

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The Pennsylvania SPCA Animal Law Enforcement Team, along with local authorities including the Pennsylvania State Police and Central Delaware County Organized Crime Unit, interrupted the cockfight Saturday night at a home on the 500 block of Franklin Street in Chester, officials said. There, investigators removed 52 live birds, and discovered three dead roosters while serving a search warrant on the property.

“Cockfighting is one of the most brutal forms of animal cruelty; these birds are forced to fight to near death one cut at a time, suffering devastating injuries in the process,” Nicole Wilson, director of animal law enforcement and shelter operations at the PSCPA, said in statement.

PSCPA officials received a tip about the cockfight on Thursday, the organization said in statement. Investigators went on to surveil the property, and noted a number of people entering and exiting it — some of whom were carrying “animal transport carriers,” the PSPCA said.

After securing a warrant, PSPCA investigators received support in serving it from the Central Delaware County Organized Crime Unit because of the number of people involved in the cockfight.

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The animals rescued from the property were taken to the PSCPA’s Philadelphia headquarters, where they were slated to received exams and medical care. The birds will remain in PSPCA custody until their owners surrender them, or a court case related to the incident is adjudicated, the organization said.

Officials did not announce the identities of the individuals arrested in connection with the incident.

Cockfighting, the PSPCA said in statement, is a felony in Pennsylvania. The investigation remains ongoing.

The PSPCA asked that anyone with information contact their animal cruelty hotline at 866-601-SPCA, or email them at [email protected]. Tips can be left anonymously.

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