Four people are charged with a host of crimes and deputies are searching for a fifth after discovering a cockfighting ring in Hillsborough County.
Deputies and animal control officers responded to a home on 70th Street South Tuesday morning to execute a search warrant. It’s in the county’s Clair-Mel City area.
When deputies got to the scene, they said they found items related to an illegal cockfighting ring.
More than 60 roosters and four dogs were taken from the scene by the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, according to Amanda Granit, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office.
Deputies said they also found marijuana as well as a stolen gun that was related to a 2015 case out of Pasco County.
Deputies arrested 54-year-old Irma Arcaya, 76-year-old Rogel Martinez Perez, 54-year-old Pedro Rodriguez and 71-year-old Lazo Fernandez. They’re charged with owning equipment for animal fighting and possession of animal for fight.
“This property is pretty large and there are multiple different sections of this property. But, within it, we found different areas where roosters were being caged, where there was a ring for the fighting,” Granit said Wednesday.
An arrest warrant has been issued for 38-year-old Raul Gonzalez Torres. He’s wanted on several charges including facilitating animal fighting and aggravated cruelty to animals.
“People care more about money than human life or animal life. Whoever does that to animals or anybody, doesn’t have a heart,” said Yusi, a neighbor who didn’t give her last name.
News Channel 8 stopped by the property. A man appeared in a wheelchair and said he didn’t speak English. He indicated he was one of those arrested.
Granit said the sheriff’s office learned about the ring through a person in the community.
A spokesman with the Pet Resource Center said the roosters were put down on the scene. 70 hens on the property will remain, he said.
