Midland County made local, state, regional, national, and probably even the London, news, on Saturday when officers with the Midland County Sheriff's Office raided a "cockfight" in progress. I am sure several other law enforcement agencies must have assisted, but I do not have a list at this moment, although it almost goes without saying that the Border Patrol was represented in the raid. By the time it was over, more than thirty people from three states and the nation of Mexico were in custody, fifty roosters had been collected, and the usual assortment of dope, stolen property, stolen guns, and gambling money were confiscated.
I am somewhat ashamed for this county that such a large cockfight venue was located here and that many arrested. I am even more ashamed that this is actually very common in Midland County and the surrounding area, and that there are so many people around here that do not feel the least remorse in being a part of this "sport." The fact is that all one has to do is drive around this and other counties in the area to see all the homes and farms where fighting cocks are being raised and trained. It is a big industry in West Texas, Southwest Texas, New Mexico, and of course in Mexico as well. As far as I know, there is no law against raising fighting roosters - as long as one does not "fight" them. But clearly, when one can see nothing but fighting cocks covering entire lots, indeed entire acres, there is no doubt what is the ultimate purpose.
As the fights are advertised, largely by word of mouth, people come from all over West Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma (yes, it's true!) and from Mexico. And as if the cruelty of this sport were not bad enough, we must factor in the criminal element that is attracted to such gatherings. Gambling on the fights, though of course illegal, is very profitable, and those who are involved in the gambling are often involved in other criminal activity as well. For instance, drugs are bought and sold, firearms are traded or sold, circumventing license requirements, and allowing felons to obtain weapons. And even stolen property changes hands at these events. At Saturday's raid, it is very fortunate that no one attempted to shoot officers as they arrived on the scene.
By now most of those arrested have bonded out of jail, or have been placed in detention awaiting deportation. These people do not realize and/or do not care about the harm they are doing to the animals, the general feeling of safety and order, and the reputation of this city and county. From what I have seen personally, cockfighting will be a big sport around here for years to come. And I am sure, much to the dismay of most the good people in Midland, we will make the news again in virtually the same way in just a few months. Well, I can hope not...but the number of rooster farms and sales of fighting cock equipment and accessories are not indicative that the end will come any time soon.
Midland will make the news once again...but not in the good way.
I am somewhat ashamed for this county that such a large cockfight venue was located here and that many arrested. I am even more ashamed that this is actually very common in Midland County and the surrounding area, and that there are so many people around here that do not feel the least remorse in being a part of this "sport." The fact is that all one has to do is drive around this and other counties in the area to see all the homes and farms where fighting cocks are being raised and trained. It is a big industry in West Texas, Southwest Texas, New Mexico, and of course in Mexico as well. As far as I know, there is no law against raising fighting roosters - as long as one does not "fight" them. But clearly, when one can see nothing but fighting cocks covering entire lots, indeed entire acres, there is no doubt what is the ultimate purpose.
As the fights are advertised, largely by word of mouth, people come from all over West Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma (yes, it's true!) and from Mexico. And as if the cruelty of this sport were not bad enough, we must factor in the criminal element that is attracted to such gatherings. Gambling on the fights, though of course illegal, is very profitable, and those who are involved in the gambling are often involved in other criminal activity as well. For instance, drugs are bought and sold, firearms are traded or sold, circumventing license requirements, and allowing felons to obtain weapons. And even stolen property changes hands at these events. At Saturday's raid, it is very fortunate that no one attempted to shoot officers as they arrived on the scene.
By now most of those arrested have bonded out of jail, or have been placed in detention awaiting deportation. These people do not realize and/or do not care about the harm they are doing to the animals, the general feeling of safety and order, and the reputation of this city and county. From what I have seen personally, cockfighting will be a big sport around here for years to come. And I am sure, much to the dismay of most the good people in Midland, we will make the news again in virtually the same way in just a few months. Well, I can hope not...but the number of rooster farms and sales of fighting cock equipment and accessories are not indicative that the end will come any time soon.
Midland will make the news once again...but not in the good way.
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