Hundreds of roosters seized at Texas cockfighting site, charges to follow

(CBS/KTVT) CEDAR HILL, Texas - The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals seized more than 500 roosters, hens and chicks from a Texas property where an alleged cockfight was taking place Monday.

Police received a tip which led them to the Cedar Hill location about 15 miles from Dallas, and when they arrived, authorities reportedly found 587 roosters, hens and chicks; 10 dogs; two rabbits and two geese.

Twenty-five people were detained but later released, according to The Dallas Morning News. Corky Brown, public relations manager for the city, told the paper that it is not illegal under Texas law to watch a cockfight, "but it is illegal to host [a cockfight]. It's also illegal to be the person who tries to get the animal to fight."

Those acts are considered felonies in Texas.

According to Brown, it may take several days before police determine who will be charged for the incident.

Police called the SPCA to take the birds. The group says it will house them at a secure location until a custody hearing on March 22, reports CBS affiliate KTVT.

Maura Davies, senior director of communications for the SPCA of Texas, said the organization will attempt to find homes for as many animals as possible, but that some may have to be euthanized, reports the Morning News.

"This is the largest-scale rooster seizure that we've been involved in," said Ann Barnes, Sr. Vice President of Operations for the SPCA of Texas, according to the organization's Web site. "Cockfighting is a brutal, horrific, illegal activity that, sadly, occurs all over the state of Texas. We're thankful to the Cedar Hill Police Department for sending a strong message that this criminal activity will not be tolerated in their city."