More than 200 roosters were seized from a property northeast of Redmond, Oregon, after deputies uncovered what the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) calls an organized cockfighting operation. Now the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office has a chance to make clear that animal fighting in Central Oregon will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

According to DCSO, its Street Crimes Unit served a search warrant at the property off O’Neill Highway on Nov. 4. Detectives and animal control staff reportedly found birds kept in cages or tied up across the land. Deputies say they also recovered training gear and a blade the sheriff’s office calls a “slasher,” a weapon made to be strapped to a rooster’s leg during a fight.

The case came to light because neighbors spoke up. For some time, residents had complained about big crowds, loud noise and heavy traffic late at night.

DCSO says the first charge for cockfighting is a Class C felony, with a possible sentence of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to $125,000, or both. The sheriff’s office says more charges could follow. No suspects have been named while a county grand jury reviews the case.

Hundreds of animals were caught up in this operation. A light outcome would tell anyone running fights in the region that the risk is worth it. A strong one would show that Deschutes County takes animal cruelty seriously.

The Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office should pursue every felony and animal cruelty charge the evidence supports once the grand jury finishes its review, and seek penalties that match the scale of this case.

Sign the petition to urge the Deschutes County District Attorney’s Office to bring full charges in the Redmond cockfighting case while the decision is still being made.