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KLAMATH FALLS Klamath Falls father and son implicated in cockfighting training operation Roosters seized may have to be euthanized Comment By Tristan Hiegler Klamath Falls Herald & News MailTribune.com By Tristan Hiegler Klamath Falls Herald & News Posted Apr. 7, 2015 at 12:13 PM By Tristan Hiegler Klamath Falls Herald & News Posted Apr. 7, 2015 at 12:13 PM » Social News Twenty-eight roosters have been seized and two Klamath Falls men are in custody after police broke up an alleged cockfighting training operation. Officers with the Klamath Falls Police Department and the county’s Animal Control division served a search warrant Saturday afternoon at a home in the 5700 block of Summers Lane. Lt. Rob Dentinger said the police had received a tip that residents of that home had allegedly posted videos to Facebook. The videos allegedly show at least one of the suspects training roosters to fight each other. After the warrant was executed, a father and son duo were booked into the county jail. Fernando Morales-Pena Sr., 41, and Fernando Morales, 20, were both arrested on suspicion of 28 criminal counts. The pair are charged with 27 counts of involvement in animal fighting and one count of cockfighting. All the charges are class C felonies under Oregon state law. Dentinger said the 28 chickens, all roosters, were seized and handed over to the Large Animal Division of the Klamath Animal Shelter. Also seized were alleged animal fighting supplies. Small boxing glove-like devices, also known as spur covers, were allegedly used to train the chickens without risking the animals. Spikes, called gaffs, that are attached to the chickens’ legs during fights also were seized. Literature and training materials on cockfighting were confiscated as evidence. Medical supplies, vitamins and steroids — all for use on the chickens — were seized as well. According to Dentinger, the investigation into the cockfighting operation is ongoing. The Summers Lane operation may have only been used for training and there is no evidence actual fights were held at that location. Dentinger confirmed Monday the police department is still looking into where the birds came from, if any animals had been sold to fight and the police are working on identifying any other suspects who may have been involved. Both suspects appeared in the Klamath County Circuit Court for a hearing Monday afternoon. They entered not guilty pleas to all charges and they were released from custody. The next hearing in the case, for both Morales and Morales-Pena Sr., was scheduled for 1:30 p.m., April 27. District Attorney Rob Patridge said he anticipates taking the case to a grand jury in the near future, which could result in formal charges against the suspects. Status of the chickens According to Patridge, the exact legal status and ownership of the chickens has not been determined. “At this point and time we’re just dealing with the case right now,” Patridge said. “All that will be determined at a later date.” Charlotte Barks, with the Large Animal Division, said if the chickens are signed over or forfeited through a court order, the division may be mandated to put the animals down. According to Barks, chickens that have been raised and trained to fight cannot be adopted as pets. She said the most humane thing to do is to destroy them. “Two of those guys in there are so vicious you look at them crossways, they’ll take your face off, but the rest are pretty nice,” Barks said. “You can’t put two of them together, they’ll kill each other.” She added that this is the first major cockfighting bust and seizure she’s been involved with since joining the Large Animal Division in 1992. Approximately 50 people, including a Klamath Falls man, were arrested across Washington and Oregon in a major cockfighting bust in 2008. By Tristan Hiegler Klamath Falls Herald & News MailTribune.com By Tristan Hiegler Klamath Falls Herald & News Posted Apr. 7, 2015 at 12:13 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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