60 Roosters Seized During Cockfighting Bust In Palm River

PALM RIVER, FL -- Sixty roosters and two dogs have been seized in what the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is describing as an illegal cockfighting ring in the Palm River area.

Following an investigation, sheriff's and Hillsborough County Pet Resource deputies executed a search warrant at 3727 70th St. S. on Tuesday, May 21, at 9 a.m. and arrested four people accused of running a cockfighting ring.

Deputies also located a stolen firearm from a 2015 Pasco County case and a small amount of marijuana.

A cockfight sport in which two roosters, called gamecocks, which are naturally aggressive toward other roosters, are placed in a ring where they fight. Spectators place wagers on the outcome of the matches between the "gamecocks."

It is illegal in all 50 states although it remains a popular sport among many cultures. The ASPCA considers it to be animal cruelty due to the methods used to raise the cocks and what occurs in the ring.

The ASPCA says the roosters’ natural fighting instincts are exaggerated through breeding, feeding, training, steroids and vitamins. Just before a fight, most of the bird’s feathers are plucked and the breeder cuts off the animal’s wattles—the combs below the beak—so that his opponent can't tear them off.

The roosters are often fitted with artificial gaffs (long, dagger-like attachments) to inflict the maximum injury. The gaffs are sharp enough to puncture a lung, pierce an eye or break bones in order to inflict maximum injury and allowing the cocks to fight to the death.

Among those arrested yesterday were Irma Arcaya, 54, Rogel Martinez Perez, 76, Pedro Rodriguez, 54, and Lazo Fernandez, 71, all charged with owning equipment for animal fighting and possession of animals for fights.

In addition, a warrant has been issued for the arrest of Raul Gonzalez Torres, 38, on charges of owning equipment for animal fighting, possession of animals for fighting, owning property for animal fighting, facilitating animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals.