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Cockfighting Operation Busted In Johnson County; 9 People Arrested

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CLEBURNE (CBSDFW.COM) – Nine people were arrested in Johnson County and charged with cock fighting, being spectators at a cock fight and for possession of cock fighting paraphernalia.

Johnson County deputies, DPS Troopers, and Texas Parks & Wildlife officials took surveillance positions Sunday at the sand pits on south Hwy 171 with the hope of gathering additional intel. They saw vehicles carrying transport boxes (that are known  to transport fighting roosters) going to a gate on the property.

Officers went to that gate and were able to stop 3 trucks leaving the area, the first of which had cock fighting paraphernalia in plain view. One of the drivers took off into the woods when he saw officers, but was caught. At that point, officers moved up and saw a cock fighting operation going on.

A total of 19 roosters were accounted for and taken to the Humane Society of North Texas.

An unknown number of birds were released into the woods during the bust and not recovered. Several suspects also escaped into the woods with the roosters.

(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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