ASCENSION PARISH, La. (WAFB) - Four men were arrested after deputies with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office uncovered an illegal cockfighting operation at a home on West Martha’s Vineyard Road, officials said.

Jose Perez, 25; Bryan Saldana, 28; Filiberto Banda-Pena, 39; and Oscar Fregaso-Solorzano, 33, were each charged with one count of organized cockfighting.

Perez, the homeowner and owner of the birds, faces an additional 36 counts of possession of cockfighting animals.

Deputies responded to the residence on Nov. 16 after receiving reports of illegal cockfighting. When deputies arrived, several people ran inside the home.

Deputies reportedly located 34 caged roosters and two dead roosters on the property. Investigators also found wraps used to attach knives to the birds’ feet an

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