At least three people arrested in connection to an alleged cockfighting operation in western Wisconsin were charged Wednesday.

Authorities seized almost 1,200 birds Tuesday morning from four properties in Polk and St. Croix counties.

Fifty-six-year-old Agustin A. Benitez of Turtle Lake, Wisconsin; 48-year-old Ernesto B. Benitez and 57-year-old Idelio J. Benitez, both of Amery, Wisconsin, were charged in Polk County court with training and instigating animals to fight.

The three men were also charged in March in St. Croix County with being animal fighting spectators, according to Wisconsin court records.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says cockfighting paraphernalia was discovered on the properties, including a fighting pit and gaffs – long, dagger-like attachments used to maximum injury to birds.

Tim Rickey, a lead investigator, said, “It’s a very lucrative industry, there’s a lot of money involved in raising and selling of birds and the fights and gambling.”

Investigators found roosters, hens and chicks living in cages or makeshift enclosures, some without food or water. The ASPCA says some birds appeared to be injured from fighting, while others had their combs and wattles removed.

No immediate arrests were made in St. Croix County.

A longtime Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS in his 36 years, he’s never had this happen before.

“It’s not something I would associate with rural Wisconsin and as we all know, times are changing.”