Seven people were detained for questioning after authorities broke up a cockfighting operation in Sacramento County Wednesday, Sacramento County Sheriff's officials said.

The sheriff's communication center received an anonymous call reporting the cockfight in a rural farm area on the 8900 block of Tokay Lane just before 12:30 p.m., said Sgt. Tim Curran of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies arrived to find approximately 70 people fleeing the scene on foot, Curran said. Seven were captured and held for questioning.

Curran said deputies found evidence of a large-scale cockfighting and breeding operation on the property, including anywhere from 300 to 600 cockfighting roosters and hens. Deputies also found nearly ten roosters who were either dead or injured from recent wounds.

Charges have not been filed against the detained subjects, although the dead and injured birds could lead to felony animal cruelty charges, Curran said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department at (916) 874-5115, or Crime Alert at (916) 443-HELP.