WATERBURY (AP) -- An anonymous complaint about an alleged cockfight led to the arrests of about 35 people and the seizure of 75 to 100 roosters, city police said.
Authorities raided a building near downtown Saturday night, leading to a chaotic scene that included a large group of people trying to flee the property and roosters fighting in the streets.
A large amount of cash that allegedly was being wagered on the fights, was seized, police said. Police received the complaint at about 6:45 p.m., said Sgt. Christopher Corbett, a police spokesman.
Shortly after police arrived, a large group streamed out the front door on Cherry Street and knocked down an officer, who wasn't injured, Corbett said.
Some of the people fought with police, and a few birds escaped and started fighting outside the building, he said. Animal control officers were called in to round up the birds.
"We're still in the process of determining what we're going to do with them," Corbett said.
The people arrested were charged with crimes ranging from gambling to cruelty to animals. Police said they found a makeshift cockfighting ring and blood spots on the first floor of the building.
Authorities also said they found a scale used to weigh the birds and plastic fighting spurs, which are attached to a rooster's legs and can tear through feathers and flesh. The exact amount of cash seized was not released.
Authorities raided a building near downtown Saturday night, leading to a chaotic scene that included a large group of people trying to flee the property and roosters fighting in the streets.
A large amount of cash that allegedly was being wagered on the fights, was seized, police said. Police received the complaint at about 6:45 p.m., said Sgt. Christopher Corbett, a police spokesman.
Shortly after police arrived, a large group streamed out the front door on Cherry Street and knocked down an officer, who wasn't injured, Corbett said.
Some of the people fought with police, and a few birds escaped and started fighting outside the building, he said. Animal control officers were called in to round up the birds.
"We're still in the process of determining what we're going to do with them," Corbett said.
The people arrested were charged with crimes ranging from gambling to cruelty to animals. Police said they found a makeshift cockfighting ring and blood spots on the first floor of the building.
Authorities also said they found a scale used to weigh the birds and plastic fighting spurs, which are attached to a rooster's legs and can tear through feathers and flesh. The exact amount of cash seized was not released.
