Police Raid Cockfight; 26 People Arrested

Twenty-six people were arrested after authorities used pepper spray to break up a cockfight on a farm northeast of Rupert.

Minidoka County sheriff’s deputies, Rupert police, state troopers and other agents on Sunday raided the farm, Sheriff’s Deputy James Wardle said.

They were tipped off by a telephone call, Wardle said. It has received such calls for three years, but this was the first successful bust, he said.

Most of those suspects arrested were cited with participating in a cockfight and released.

Javier Arteaga was charged with obstructing an officer, cited and released. In addition to cockfighting, Margarito Rangel was charged with resisting arrest, and was held on $600 bond.

Wardle said police used pepper spray before arresting some of the suspects crowded around a 30-foot arena made from bales of hay.

Three dead roosters were discovered and one severely wounded. Deputies also found scales for weighing the birds and a box of fighting spurs, which are attached to the birds’ legs to enhance the fighting spectacle.

A betting book and $300 in cash was found on Leobardo Leon Rangel, police said.

Misty Fogelson of the Humane Society in Twin Falls said Idaho is one of the few states in the Northwest where participating in blood sports - such as dog and cockfighting - is not a felony.