DALLAS (AP) - A rural cockfight raided by police Saturday sent hundreds who paid $20 admission fleeing into the woods and led to the arrest of three organizers, authorities said.

Nearly 400 people scrambled as police broke up the cockfights at a boxing ring-sized pit, Dallas police spokesman Jerry Monreal said. Misdemeanor citations were issued to about 100 who were caught.

Police found numerous syringes they believe were used to inject the birds with steroids, Monreal said.

Three people arrested face felony charges of engaging in organized crime after police said they found books used to take bets. Their names were not immediately released.

Animal control officers took the birds found to be injured and were seeking to obtain others in cages, Monreal said.