Chris Royal, director of Iredell County Animal Services & Control, said the county will probably euthanize roosters confiscated Sunday in a cockfighting bust if the county wins its case against those charged with cockfighting and cruelty to animals in court.

“We wouldn’t want anybody else getting their hands on them,” Royal said.

Royal said Animal Services was keeping the roosters until the cases went to court, which she said may be up to a couple years since the felony cockfighting charges will require superior court.

Animal Services officials confiscated 29 roosters.

One died en route to the Animal Services facility and another two have died from injuries since.

Whoever wins in court will be awarded the roosters, Royal said. she said most likely the roosters wouldn’t be able to be given to a farm or as pets because of the aggressive nature that has been instilled in them.

“It’s cruel to keep them in a small cage,” Royal said. “There might be certain cases where we might adopt them.”

Royal said the issue with the roosters was becoming more complicated since the start of the investigation.

“Somebody has already called in saying that some of the roosters were stolen,” Royal said.

In addition to nine people arrested Sunday at the home of Robert Lee Holland on Cove Gap Road, warrants for another seven people were issued Monday. Royal said their names and information were found by searching through vehicles left on-site by those who ran from officers. Royal said no one arrested was giving up the names of their fellow competitors.

“They’re being kind of close-mouthed, I’m sure,” Royal said.