NAVARRO COUNTY — For the second time this year, authorities in Navarro County have cracked down on illegal cockfighting.

About 80 people were under arrest Saturday night, some of them facing charges of animal cruelty.

Deputies moved in after observing activities at the farm near Corsicana for about two weeks.

Throughout the evening, dozens of people made the slow walk to their cars after getting busted.

Inside a rustic barn miles from any town, officers said the evidence pointed to a cockfighting operation.

"It's a sophisticated operation," said Navarro County Chief Deputy Mike Cox. "This facility is built strictly for fighting game cocks."

Detectives said the operation featured a staging area and a concession stand serving refreshments to those who enjoy the blood sport.

Deputies seized $13,000 in cash along with 150 surviving prized birds, along with the razor-sharp spurs that are attached to their feet for the contest, which involves a fight to the death.

This facility is smaller than another cockfighting ring nearby that was shut down by deputies last March. More than 300 people were caught betting on the illegal sport in that raid.

Some of the spectators nabbed in Saturday's raid confirmed to News 8 that they started coming to this facility after the other one was shut down.

"They're 50 minutes from downtown Dallas, and it's rural, and it's isolated, and I think that's probably the reason that they've chosen this area," Deputy Cox said.

Although cockfighting is illegal in Texas, watching it is not, so many arrested Saturday night were given a ticket and allowed to leave the arena.

"It's a Class C misdemeanor, which is the same as getting a speeding ticket," Deputy Cox said. "It's not what I'd like to do, but we have to work with the laws that the legislature's passed."

Deputies said the two property owners connected with the operation will face animal cruelty charges.

E-mail jbetz@wfaa.com