DELHI, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Several animal fighting rings and 15 dead roosters were found in Merced County following a marijuana operation, the Merced County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

The sheriff’s office enforcement team conducted numerous marijuana operations in the Winton and Delhi areas on July 25. Deputies said that over 3,000 marijuana plants were seized and eradicated. They also found two firearms, one of which was reported stolen.

On July 29, code enforcement, the environmental health and the buildings department followed up at one of the locations on the 7700 block of Sycamore Street in Delhi.

During the inspection of the property, several animal fighting rings used for organized animal fighting, as well as 15 dead roosters, were found. The sheriff’s office said the roosters were not on the property when the enforcement team was there.

Animal control responded to the property and ended up seizing 307 roosters. Deputies said the roosters appeared to be explicitly raised for fighting, and some had defensive wounds.

Several animal cruelty charges were filed with the district attorney’s office.

If anyone has any information about this case, please contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at 209-385-7445.