A Doylestown woman accused of operating an illegal cockfighting ring in Plumstead with her husband has been approved for a special program for first-time offenders.
During a brief hearing Thursday, Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley approved 50-year-old Mara Duran to participate in a supervised Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program for 12 months.
If she successfully completes the program, she can seek to have her arrest record expunged.
The Bucks County SPCA has rescued 49 roosters and chickens used as part of an active cockfighting operation on a property in Plumstead. One man has been arrested and more arrests are expected, authorities said.
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Duran and her husband, Manfid, 51, were each charged with 51 felonies and misdemeanors and as many counts of animal neglect for running a large-scale animal fighting enterprise. Manfid Duran is due to appear in court next week.
The SPCA of Bucks County removed 49 birds from the 10-acre property on North Easton Road, including roosters. They have since been deported, according to court records.
The animal fighting ring was discovered when Plumstead police broke up an alleged cockfight on February 18 after receiving a noise complaint. They found numerous vehicles and Valentine’s Day balloons tied to the mailbox, according to a probable cause affidavit.
An officer heard what sounded like numerous roosters and saw cages along the back and side walls outside a detached garage on the property.
When the officer looked inside the building, he saw a large, dirt-filled pit surrounded by 10-foot plywood walls. Inside the ring, two roosters were fighting and at least 20 men surrounded the pit, the affidavit said.
In the corner of the garage, the officer saw at least one dead rooster.
When the men inside noticed the police officers, they ran from the building, authorities said.
Police arrested 21-year-old Cesar Cordova-Morales of Chester County, who was charged with fighting animals and possession of fighting paraphernalia. He was also approved for the ARD program earlier this year, records show.
A Bucks County SPCA officer found cages and carriers containing birds, but no food and the only accessible water was frozen. According to court documents, the bodies of dead roosters were found behind the garage.
This photo from the Pennsylvania SPCA shows examples of how roosters are kept and dressed for fights. Cockfighting is a significant but under-the-radar problem in urban and suburban areas.
In the garage, authorities found items related to gambling and cockfighting, including a scale, spurs, zip ties, bolt cutters and an empty bottle of vitamins used in cockfighting, the affidavit said.
Authorities found a black rooster that appeared to be in great distress in a corner of the garage. The injured bird was taken to an emergency veterinarian, who found it had multiple deep lacerations, as well as head, body and deep muscle bruising.
The rooster died three days later from the injuries.
Cockfighting is considered a criminal offense in all 50 states and the U.S. territories.
Reporter Jo Ciavaglia can be reached at jciavaglia@gannett.com
This article originally appeared in Bucks County Courier Times: No jail time for Doylestown woman accused of running cockfighting ring
