ALLEGAN COUNTY, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — It wasn’t the usual barnyard crowing that drew attention near Hopkins on July 26—it was the sound of an alleged illegal cockfighting derby, and two animal rights groups say deputies didn’t show up to stop it.

Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) and Animal Wellness Action, both pushing to end animal fighting nationwide, claim the bloody main event went on despite authorities being tipped off in advance. Drone footage shot by SHARK founder Steve Hindi shows the aftermath—a makeshift arena, battered birds, and the trappings of a fight to the death.

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Cockfighting, in which specially bred roosters are fitted with blades or gaffs before being set against each other, is banned in all 50 states and classified as a felony in Michigan, according to the Detroit Free Press. 

Hindi said the Hopkins tip came through his group’s hotline, which fields calls from disgruntled exes, angry neighbors, and relatives who do not want their family tangled in what can be a violent and deadly pastime.

Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action, alleged deputies admitted they’d heard about the derby two days prior but lacked manpower to intervene. “This is a violent crime in progress,” Pacelle said. “It’s a felony in the state of Michigan.”

Allegan County Undersheriff Michael Larsen conceded the first response “was not what we had hoped for” but denied it was malicious or negligent. He said both a criminal investigation into the fight and an internal review of the response are underway.