Six roosters found dead after cockfighting bust in Phoenix

PHOENIX (CNN, KYMA/KECY) - A Phoenix man is facing an animal cruelty charge after police found evidence he was dealing drugs and in charge of a cockfighting ring at his various properties in the same neighborhood.

While the Glendale Police Department (GPD) was inside a home in Phoenix investigating an unrelated armed robbery, court documents say officers made a different discovery: Dozens of roosters, metal spurs, and even a large trophy.

GPD say it's all evidence of a large cockfighting ring, and say they arrested Victor Espinoza last week.

Officers say they found a notebook with names and cash earnings, leather wraps, and medication for roosters.

While at another property of Espinoza's on the same street, court documents say officers found even more evidence of the cockfighting operation, including roosters, many of which were already injured.

A neighbor said he always used to hear roosters, and would even see them cross the street sometimes.

He didn't know what was going on in this home for sure, but isn't surprised to hear police say it was a large cockfighting ring.