Animal Fighting Tip Leads To Man's Arrest, Seizure Of 63 Chickens

MANASSAS, VA — Prince William County police arrested a Manassas man Tuesday and charged him with 38 counts of felony animal fighting after receiving a tip from someone in the community. Arwin Garcia Pingol raised chickens on his property allegedly for the purposes of shipping them to places where animal fights take place, the police said.

County animal control officers, together with the Prince William County Police Department’s Property Crimes Unit and Forensic Services Section, on Feb. 6 went to a house in the 9000 block of Ellsworth Road in Manassas with a search warrant in connection with an investigation of alleged animal fighting.

During the search, the investigators seized 63 chickens and two dogs from the property. Many of the chickens were found in a manner consistent with their preparation for fighting, the police said. Paraphernalia allegedly used to enhance a chicken for fighting also was found on the property and seized by investigators.

No fighting is believed to have occurred on the Manassas property. The two dogs, both Great Pyrenees or mixed breeds, were removed due to inadequate care but were not involved in the alleged fighting activity, the police said. The animals seized during the investigation are currently being held pending civil court proceedings.

On Sunday, following the investigation, investigators obtained multiple felony charges against Pingol, who was then arrested Tuesday. Pingol has a court date set for April 15.

The police department said Prince William County’s Neighborhood Services, Loudoun County Animal Services and the Deepwood Veterinary Clinic provided help with the investigation into the animal fighting.