Arrest Made in Rooster Fighting Case

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies have arrested a man they say was running an illegal rooster fighting operation from his property on South Meadowview Circle.

According to a media release, Clemente Hernandez, 77, was charged with breeding/training wild or domestic animals for fighting; owning and possessing equipment for use in animal fighting; managing property used for animal fighting; and animal cruelty.

Hernandez’s arrest earlier this morning comes on the heels of a joint investigation between the sheriff’s office and Hillsborough County Animal Services. Those agencies executed a search warrant today, Feb. 8, at Hernandez’s 8023 S. Meadowview Circle property.

“Hundreds of roosters were found on the property, birds that have been bred and trained to fight to death in an illegal gambling operation,” sheriff’s office spokeswoman Debbie Carter wrote in the release.  “Also found on the property were several dogs and a horse.”

Animal services took custody of the roosters and dogs. The horse was seized by the sheriff’s office, the release said.