Oklahoma City police arrested a man on Friday, June 14, on multiple felony charges tied to an alleged underground cockfighting operation.
Jesus Arturo Chavez Nunez was booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center following the bust. According to arrest records, Chavez Nunez is facing a string of charges. These include keeping a place and equipment for cockfighting, and owning or training birds for fighting. He was also charged with possessing proceeds derived from a state statute violation, and carrying a weapon, drugs, or alcohol into the jail facility.
The Friday arrest drew immediate praise from Animal Wellness Action, an organization that monitors and campaigns against animal cruelty.
Wayne Pacelle, president of the organization, described the illegal sport as a savage form of animal cruelty and organized crime.
“We commend the Oklahoma City Police Department for treating this crime seriously and for disrupting an operation that allegedly exploited animals for violent entertainment and financial gain,” Pacelle said.
Cockfighting has been outlawed in Oklahoma for more than two decades, and the state holds some of the strictest anti-cockfighting laws in the nation. Authorities note that these animal fighting enterprises are frequently tied to illegal gambling, animal trafficking, and the illicit movement of large sums of cash.
Kevin Chambers, the Oklahoma state director for Animal Wellness Action, said this arrest highlights the need for constant law enforcement vigilance against the practice.
“We are grateful to the Oklahoma City Police Department for their commitment to enforcing Oklahoma’s animal-cruelty laws,” Chambers said. “Every successful investigation sends a message that organized animal fighting will not be tolerated in our communities.”
Chambers added that the group is encouraging local prosecutors to pursue the charges vigorously to help dismantle the networks that profit from these illegal events. Animal Wellness Action is also urging residents to report any suspected animal-fighting operations to local law enforcement.
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