Cockfighting ring busted north of the Twin Cities, 10 facing charges
A wild scene unfolded in east-central Minnesota Thursday evening as deputies from the Chisago County Sheriff's Office busted a cockfighting event.
Deputies were alerted to the possible cockfighting operation and arrived to a location in the 11000 block of St. Croix Trail in Sunrise Township to find a cockfighting competition in progress.
One suspect, a 39-year-old Maplewood man, got into a vehicle and sped away, leading to a high-speed chase that was thwarted by a deputy completing a successful PIT maneuver. The man was arrested and taken into custody.
A total of 10 people, including the suspect who fled, are facing pending charges of felony animal fighting/possession of fighting animals. Bring Me The News does not typically name the accused until formal charges are filed, but their ages and location of residence are as follows:
- 26-year-old from North Branch
- 40-year-old from St. Paul
- 47-year-old from Brooklyn Center
- 31-year-old from St. Paul
- 33-year-old from St. Paul
- 36-year-old from Brooklyn Park
- 31-year-old from St. Paul
- 28-year-old from Fairview, Missouri
- 32-year-old from Granby, Missouri
- 39-year-old from Maplewood (fleeing suspect)
No one was injured in the bust, although a Chisago County Sheriff's Office squad vehicle sustained minor damage during the chase.
Cockfighting is illegal in every state. In Minnesota, it is a felony for anyone involved in the promotion, engagement or employment of a cockfighting ring. It is a gross misdemeanor for anyone who attends a cockfighting event. Learn more about Minnesota's animal fighting laws here.
