Deputies arrested over two dozen people and rescued 74 roosters after breaking up an alleged cockfighting operation on Thanksgiving Day in Alvarado, according to the Johnson County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities said deputies responded around 11 a.m. Thursday to reports of possible animal cruelty and illegal cockfighting on Deborah Drive. When deputies arrived, a large group of people scattered and tried to flee. 

The sheriff's office said approximately 25 individuals were detained, and three juveniles found at the scene were released to responsible family members.

What investigators say about the alleged cockfighting operation

Animal welfare advocates say the incident fits a troubling pattern seen across North Texas and Oklahoma. 

Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, said his group has long tracked what it calls the "Texoma cockfighting corridor."

"We issued a report about the very serious levels of criminal cockfighting activity along with other crimes entangled with them from Tulsa to the Dallas metro area.," Pacelle said. "Johnson County today adds its name to the roster of counties that are seeing action to interdict these fights and to stop this barbarism."

Pacelle, whose organizations run a national anti-animal fighting campaign, said his group did not provide the initial tip in this case but praised deputies for acting quickly.

According to the sheriff's office, 74 roosters were recovered, including two with serious injuries. Natures Edge Wildlife Rehabilitation provided immediate care for the injured birds. 

Why advocates say cockfighting is tied to other criminal activity

Pacelle described cockfighting derbies as brutal spectacles involving "round-robin fights" that can last for hours. 

"These are specially trained and bred birds, and they have the natural spurs on their leg shaved down, and they affix a sharp knife, or a curved ice pick called the gap," he explained. "They proceed within a confined pit area to hack each other or stab each other to death for the amusement and for the illegal gambling that's associated with the fight."

He added that cockfighting is often intertwined with other serious crimes. 

"It's always entangled with other crimes, always illegal gambling, always money laundering and tax evasion, often narcotics trafficking, and occasionally human on human violence," Pacelle said. "There are shootings and stabbings at cockfights and dogfights."

Pacelle said the region's long history of cockfighting, once legal in neighboring states, helped underground networks take root. But he believes the tide is turning.

"This whole practice needs to stop and I hope that every conflict or takes note of what happened in Johnson County and what's been happening all across Northeast Texas," he said. "That conflict is no longer going to be tolerated by law enforcement or the broader community of citizens who care about animals and about the safety of our communities."

The Johnson County Sheriff's Office also thanked Texas DPS and Texas Game Wardens for helping secure the scene. Deputies seized a trophy allegedly intended for the event, saying it will be held in the property room until a trial.

Officials encouraged residents to report suspicious activity, calling the public their "eyes and ears." Anyone with information can contact the communications division at 817-556-6045 or reach out to Johnson County Crime Stoppers.