California deputies detained about 15 people on May 11, saying they had uncovered a cockfighting operation in Sacramento, reports news station KCRA.
Deputies reportedly arrived at a home at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday after receiving a report of a knife fight. When they arrived, deputies say, they found numerous birds and evidence of cockfighting.
Authorities have not yet arrested anyone, and the resident of the property, Sonny Phang, told the news station that he keeps the chickens in his yard as pets.
The condition of the birds has not yet been released, but local animal control is now commanding the investigation, the news station reports.