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PD: Man arrested for 70 counts of cockfighting ring in south Phoenix

Robin Arreaga.jpg
Posted at 11:46 AM, Mar 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-26 01:20:24-04

PHOENIX — A south Phoenix man has been arrested after police seized 70 roosters in a large cockfighting ring.

Phoenix police responded Sunday morning to a home near 27th Avenue and Buckeye Road after getting a call that an injured man was not being allowed to leave the house.

The Arizona Humane Society now says more than 160 animals were located and seized from the property. (70 roosters, 47 hens, 31 chicks, 11 ducklings, 5 bunnies.)

One dead chicken was also found on the ground near the 15 x 15-foot cockfighting pit.

The man who rents the property, Robin Arreaga, age 50, was arrested at the scene on 70 counts of cockfighting.

Phoenix police said The Arizona Humane Society is helping with the investigation. "This one looks like an operation that has been ongoing for a while, like I said, very sophisticated and very intricate," said Tracy Miller with the Arizona Humane Society.

“Many of the chickens in cages were in the process of dying,” according to court documents.

Around 25 other people were detained for questioning at the home. It's unclear if they will face any charges.