KELSO — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says officers have discovered a suspected cockfighting operation in Desha County.
The commission said 29 people were arrested Sunday in a rural area of Desha County near Kelso. The commission said in a statement Monday that two wildlife officers were on a routine patrol when they found a large gathering of people.
Once closer, the officers discovered 20 live chickens and 10 dead chickens at the scene. The commission said officers arrested 29 adult men on misdemeanor animal-cruelty charges. Two minors were also at the scene, but they were not arrested. Ten people were also charged with fleeing a wildlife officer.
Authorities said the suspects are due in court April 1 in Dumas.