Bexar County sheriff's deputies on Sunday shut down a suspected cockfighting operation on the far southwest side, hauling multiple people into custody and arresting the homeowner at the scene. Investigators say they found clear signs of organized fights: piles of injured or dead roosters, a compact ring, and blood-streaked equipment scattered around the property. Surviving birds are set to be removed by Bexar County Animal Control. The raid, which officials say involved aerial support, wrapped only after several people tried to bolt into nearby brush and were chased down.
In a statement to KENS5, Sheriff Javier Salazar said deputies executed a search warrant at a property near 13774 Pearsall Road after a nonprofit focused on animal cruelty tipped off investigators. Deputies reported finding a 16-by-16 fighting ring, a wheelbarrow stacked with dead and dying roosters, and other evidence they say matches typical cockfighting setups. A truck rolling away from the property was stopped and, according to the sheriff, found packed with roosters. Several people were detained at or near the site, including some who were caught after sprinting toward nearby woods.
How the raid unfolded
Investigators used a mix of ground units and air support to lock down the area, with the San Antonio Police Department's Eagle Unit helping confirm what was happening on the property. While one team intercepted a vehicle loaded with game birds, other subjects took off toward heavy brush and were later tracked and detained. Officials say the action is part of a broader run of animal-cruelty cases in Bexar County; earlier this month, deputies discovered dozens of malnourished animals after a vehicle fire sparked a different investigation, as reported by KSAT.
Charges and the law
The sheriff's office said those detained are expected to face multiple charges, including engaging in criminal activity, cockfighting, and animal cruelty, according to KENS5. Under Texas law, certain cockfighting offenses, such as causing a cock to fight or taking part in the earnings from a cockfight, can be prosecuted as a state-jail felony, while other related conduct is treated as a misdemeanor; the statute is codified in Texas Penal Code. Convictions can bring jail time, fines, and court orders limiting a person's ability to possess animals in the future.
What comes next
Deputies are still processing the scene and collecting evidence as the investigation continues. Bexar County Animal Control is expected to take custody of the surviving birds for evaluation and care while prosecutors review potential charges. Authorities are asking anyone with information about suspected animal-fighting operations to contact the sheriff's office.
