Police break up Santa Fe cockfight

SANTA FE — At least seven dead chickens and more than a dozen caged fowl were found Sunday afternoon during a raid of a cockfight in Santa Fe, the Galveston County Sheriff’s Office said. One man was arrested, but as many as 20 people packed the cockfighting ring in the 15500 block of Fir, Capt. Barry Cook said.

Cook said deputies found the seven dead chickens, two that were injured severely and 15 others caged. One of the injured chickens was found in the fighting ring, Cook said.

Investigators also found blades that usually would be strapped to the legs of the fighting chickens. The fowls usually fight to the death while spectators wager on which chicken will be victorious.

Sheriff’s investigators said the property was the site of a similar raid six years ago.

Cook said when sheriff’s deputies and police from the Santa Fe Police Department showed up at the reported cock fight, most of those who were there took off. Nine people were detained and questioned, but only one man was charged.

Manual Lopez Vargas, 59, of Santa Fe, was charged with cruelty to animals and was held in the Galveston County jail on $20,000 bond. Galveston County Animal Control took the living chickens.