A Des Moines man faces numerous charges connected to cockfighting case. Mariano Ramirez is charged with felony animal contest and possession of animal fighting paraphernalia after the Animal Rescue League of Iowa helped Des Moines police remove over 80 chickens and roosters from a property on the city's east side. The Iowa Department of Agriculture was also on-site to test the birds for possible contagious disease. Des Moines police say the investigation is ongoing.