CCSO: 2 men arrested for participating in cockfighting

LA FERIA, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two men were arrested for allegedly cockfighting, deputies say.

Gerardo Zepeda, 45, was charged with permitting another to use property for cockfighting and Rogelio Tapia, 64, was charged with cockfighting and cruelty to non-livestock animals, according to a news release from the Cameron County Sheriff's Office.

_{^{Rogelio Tapia, 64, was charged with cockfighting and cruelty to non-livestock animals, according to a news release from the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. (Source: Cameron County Sheriff's Office)}}

_{^{Gerardo Zepeda, 45, was charged with permitting another to use property for cockfighting, according to a news release from the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. (Source: Cameron County Sheriff's Office)}}

At 10 p.m. Saturday, Cameron County deputies were called to the 11000 block of Calle Oriente about a possible cockfight happening at the location.

At the scene, deputies saw white boxes containing roosters in them. They describe the roosters as having large lacerations all over their bodies and blood covering their feathers.

Additionally, they found several tools used in cockfights such as slashers, bridles and gaffs. The release stated that authorities asked a group of people who were drinking, who the owner of the property was.

A man, later identified as Zepeda, spoke with deputies and stated he was the owner of the property.

Deputies say, he admitted to allowing the cockfights to take place at his property and owned some of the injured roosters.

Additionally, a second man, identified as Tapia, stepped forward and admitted to deputies to participating in the cockfighting and owning some of the injured roosters as well.

Both men were arrested.

The group of people who were present during the cockfights received citations, the release added.