Three men arrested on the way to cockfighting tournament in Texas, 10 roosters seized, cops say

Three men heading to a cockfighting tournament were arrested last week, and 10 roosters were seized from their vehicle.

Joseph Arbizu, Jeronimo Barcenas and Mario Benitez were charged with animal cruelty and booked into the Montgomery County Jail in Texas, according to Click 2 Houston.

Around 8:30 a.m. on Oct. 23, a K9 Unit with Montgomery County Precinct 4 observed an SUV committing multiple traffic violations while traveling down U.S. Highway 59, Click 2 Houston reported.

The deputy initiated a traffic stop, and when he approached the vehicle, he heard roosters crowing inside, according to Click 2 Houston.

The deputy learned the men were bound for a cockfighting tournament, Click 2 Houston reported.

During a consensual search of the vehicle, the deputy found 10 roosters, dozens of “steel slashers,” thousands of dollars in cash, as well as other items “used in the illegal activity of cockfighting,” according to Click 2 Houston.

Deputies seized the roosters along with the contraband items, Click 2 Houston reported.

“It’s a crime to abuse and kill animals, especially when it’s for sport,” Montgomery County Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden said, according to Click 2 Houston. “We will do what’s necessary to lock up those suspected of animal cruelty.”