Isle of Wight County sheriff’s deputies seized over 250 animals from a Carrollton residence, including over 190 roosters and hens allegedly used for cockfighting.

A large police presence converged in the morning hours of June 16 at a house in the 11000 block of Smiths Neck Road near the Jones Creek Boat Ramp. Two days after the raid, a Sheriff’s Office news release said the search and seizure had been part of an “ongoing investigation into suspected animal cruelty and illegal bird fighting” by the Sheriff’s Office, Isle of Wight County Animal Services and the Virginia Animal Fighting Task Force, a statewide nonprofit organization of animal control and law enforcement officers, prosecutors, veterinarians and animal welfare workers.

Many of the roosters “displayed signs consistent with preparation for fighting, including physical alterations and housing arrangements commonly associated with cockfighting operations,” the news release said.

No arrests had been made as of June 18, but charges were pending, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Capt. Tommy Potter, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, told the Times the unnamed homeowner “has voluntarily surrendered all animals,” eliminating the need for a court hearing that would ordinarily determine custody of the animals.

Cockfighting is a felony under Virginia law. It’s a federal offense to ship or transport fighting birds across state lines. The seized animals are being housed “in a secure location as Animal Services evaluates their condition and determines the next steps,” the Sheriff’s Office said in its news release.

“This is a serious case of animal cruelty,” Sheriff James Clarke Jr said in the news release. “The evidence recovered during this investigation suggests these birds were being used, or prepared to be used, for illegal fighting activity. We are committed to holding those responsible accountable under the law.”

The raid marked the second large seizure of animals from a Smiths Neck Road house in a year. On July 24, Animal Control officers and sheriff’s deputies seized 44 animals from a home in the 13000 block following multiple tips alleging illegal animal breeding and selling. That case, which Master Deputy and sheriff’s office spokeswoman Alecia Paul said is unconnected to the latest incident, resulted in the seizure of 39 dogs, four miniature horses and one full-size horse. A judge last year granted the Sheriff’s Office custody of 30 of the 44 animals and allowed the home’s unnamed occupant to keep two of the seized dogs but ordered the occupant never to own more than two pets.

This is a developing story.