Potter County cockfighting ring bust: 170 roosters, 3 arrested, 6 illegal immigrants detained

AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - We’re learning more details about a large-scale cockfighting ring bust in Potter County.

Over the weekend, Potter County deputies came across a cockfighting event with around 50 spectators at Broadway and La Ruth, just north of the city limits.

Multiple agencies assisted Potter County Sheriff’s Office, including Amarillo Police, Texas Game Wardens and Texas DPS.

Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and its volunteers also helped out, rescuing the fighting roosters.

170 roosters were found at the scene. Officials say that amount is unprecedented.

“This was one of the biggest ones they’ve ever seen in the state of Texas, usually a normal cockfighting ring is in between 15 and 20 birds,” said Lt. Dustin Langwell, Potter County Sheriff’s Office.

Out of the 170 roosters, 13 of them had to be euthanized.

“The cavity of the bird was sliced right open, we can see organs and the inside. You could just see that they were defeated, they were not trying to fight, they were just in so much pain and they were suffering,” said Stephanie Brady, founder and executive director, Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.

As for the future of the surviving roosters, cases have been filed with county attorneys and the district attorney, so it will be up to the courts.

We’ve learned Potter County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested three people.

Ivan Guadelupe Herrera-Lopez and Salvador Sanches Chavez were arrested on cockfighting charges and Juana Sanchez Gonzalez was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.

Officials also say several were unlawfully in the United States, those individuals were turned into ICE and are awaiting deportation.

All spectators are also facing consequences.

“Every person that was out there received a Class C misdemeanor ticket. It is illegal to witness or watch a cockfighting event,” said Lt. Langwell.

“If you’re aware of large gatherings, especially where you see a large amount of chicken coops or different equipment, boxes, etc. that show any kind of fighting rooster pictures on them, that’s something to be aware of. That’s something we saw on this scene,” Ryan Hunter, Texas Game Warden.

You are encouraged to report such incidents to your area law enforcement for them to investigate.