BRYAN COUNTY, Okla. (KTEN) -- The sounds of roosters crowing and an excess of vehicles concerned neighbors and led Bryan County deputies to a major illegal cockfighting operation on Saturday.

Sheriff Johnny Christian said deputies were called to Chestnut Lane near Allison and found 100 cars and more than 250 people on the property.

Deputies said the property owner turned a barn into a cockfighting arena, complete with bleachers, concession stands and what authorities are calling a "pit." The pit was covered in chicken feathers and a noticeable amount of blood.

Behind the barn, deputies said they saw full chicken coops and blood-soaked staging areas.

A March 2017 aerial view of the Bryan County property where an alleged cockfighting operation was discovered.
A March 2017 aerial view of the Bryan County property where an alleged cockfighting operation was discovered. (Google Earth)

Sheriff Christian told KTEN News these birds don't come cheap. Fighting roosters are worth several thousand dollars.

The department is working with the district attorney's office to make an arrest in the case. These crimes carry a hefty fine. There are several felony charges, including raising chickens to fight or having a pit on property.

Cockfighting was made illegal in Oklahoma in 2003.