Cockfighting - 168 birds seized
Key West, FL (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Mar 16, 2007
County: Monroe

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Lorenzo Miralles

An anonymous phone call March 16 night led to charges of cockfighting and animal cruelty against a Rockland Key man, police said.

When deputies arrived at 5:30 p.m., they found a large crowd on the property along Beach Drive, police said. Many ran, but officers were able to stop and identify 23 people.

On the property, police said they found 168 birds, some seriously injured. Animal Control officers immediately took the most seriously injured, and those prepped for fighting, police said. The others were removed March 17.

Police said a number of the birds had been prepped for fighting, with their back and undersides shaved and the combs on their heads cut off. Police said they also found many injured chickens, some with open wounds and some with missing eyes.

Deputies also found a large amount of medical equipment, including suture kits, antibiotics, alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, police said.

Police said they charged Lorenzo Miralles, 67, with a violation of the animal fighting act and animal cruelty, both felony charges.

References

• NBC 6 - March 17, 2007

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