Pima County man accused of rooster fighting; 250 animals rescued, deputies say

More than 250 animals were rescued from an illegal rooster fighting ring this week after Pima County sheriff’s deputies happened upon the scene while responding to an unrelated call, court records say. 

Deputies went to a home in the 10400 block of South Camino Casitas, near South Country Club Road and East Sandy Wash Road, after a report of a utility service theft.

They noticed approximately 100 roosters caged separately, which a responding officer knew to be consistent with keeping fighting roosters, deputies wrote in an interim complaint. 

A man named Jose Balderrama showed deputies around the property and denied using the animals for rooster fighting. He told a deputy that he breeds and shows the roosters on the “show circuit,” according to the interim complaint.

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However, the deputy wrote that he noticed indications the roosters were being trained and used to fight. There was also evidence of neglect, the deputy wrote. Water bowls appeared to have green matter in them, and multiple roosters were on tie outs with barrels as shelters because there were not enough cages. A Pima Animal Care Center investigator told deputies she had seen two dead chickens being consumed by live chickens when she visited the property. 

A search warrant was issued and 271 roosters and four dogs were placed in the care of PACC.

Balderrama was charged on suspicion of 10 felony counts of owning roosters for the purpose of rooster fighting, the sheriff's department said. The investigation continues.