Large-scale cockfighting operation found in Norman

Editor's Note: The story has been updated to clarify the address of the alleged illegal operation. 

NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) - Norman Animal Welfare recently discovered a large-scale rooster fighting operation after responding to a fire with the Norman Fire Department.

According to the Norman Police Department, the welfare responded to a home near the 12200 block of E. Cedar Lane Road on January 23 alongside NFD to rescue nine puppies trapped in a barn fire. During the rescue attempt, animal welfare officers discovered a large-scale rooster fighting operation nearby.

"They were searching the area and the reporting party actually took them into this secondary barn that was just adjacent to the barn that was on fire," Sarah Schettler, PIO for Norman PD said. "That's when the animal welfare officers quickly identified that there was a large scale rooster fighting operation occurring there."

Officials says Norman Police secured the area as 77 roosters were seized from the property and the illegal activity was shut down. The roosters were found in poor condition with signs of harsh training for fighting purposes.

"The seized animals will be transported to an out-of-state rooster sanctuary where they will receive proper care, evaluation, rehabilitation, and necessary medical treatment." said Norman PD.

Some are shocked to still see operations like this occurring in Oklahoma.

"It was very strange given that cockfighting was voted to become a felony in 2002 by over half a million Oklahomans," Brendan Hoover, Coordinator of Kirkpatrick Policy Group said.

However, Hoover says it shouldn't come as much of a surprise.

"Prosecutions have been few and far between since the law has been enacted," Hoover said. "Southeastern Oklahoma, there's known places that cockfighting still happens. Now, here in the Oklahoma City, metro cockfighting is still happening. So, it's an issue that needs to be addressed."

Wayne Pacelle, Founder and President of Animal Wellness Action says cockfighting usually has other criminal activity attached to it.

"In almost every case, you see narcotics trafficking," Pacelle said. "Oftentimes you see money laundering, you see chop shops, prostitution rings."

His group calls Oklahoma the cockfighting capital of the US, and released a report last year showing dozens of illegal operations around the state.

Some Oklahoma legislators have even pushed to decriminalize cockfighting, including a bill last year that failed. Something Pacelle says shows Oklahomans, this isn't a serious crime.

"This is a crime, and when you give them an ear and flirt with the idea of decriminalizing cockfighting, you abet the very practices that we saw exposed in Norman, by the Norman Police Department and Norman Animal Welfare," Pacelle said.

Norman PD says the investigation into the operation is still underway. As for the 70+ roosters, we confirmed with Norman PD and News 9 in Denver that they were sent to Roosters Sanctuary at Danzigs Roost in Bennett, Colorado, where they will find a safe permanent home.