MCSO drug investigation leads to discovery of animal fighting ring

ARIZONA -- An investigation into drug trafficking in the West Valley uncovered a large cock fighting and dog fighting operation in Tolleson.

Maricopa County sheriff's detectives found more than 50 roosters and eight dogs used for fighting, and some smaller dogs used as bait. They also found steroids and chains hanging from trees, reportedly used to train those animals.

  

Small dogs found caged are believed to have been used as bait animals.

  

 

"This our fourth large investigation of animal cruelty this month," Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. "I think in one of them we seized over 100 animals, so this is going on and on and on abusing animals. There's something wrong going on in this county."

 

 

Deputies arrested four people at the Tolleson house on drug charges and they could face more charges involving the animals, Arpaio said.

Some of the animals had to be euthanized.

(KPHO Phoenix - Feb 27, 2015)