Cockfighting - 211 birds seized Zolfo Springs, FL (US) Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 20, 2007 County: Hardee Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Milton Arnold Murphy

Case ID: 11586 Classification: Fighting Animal: chicken View more cases in FL (US) Login to Watch this Case

A Zolfo Springs man was arrested by the Hardee County Sheriff�s Office Wednesday after deputies uncovered an alleged cock-fighting operation.

Milton Arnold Murphy, 51, was arrested by Sgt. James Adler and Sgt. Evarett Lovett, members of the HCSO and Southwest Florida Agricultural Crimes Task Force. He faces more than 200 counts of animal cruelty. The arrest was made after officers served a search warrant on the suspect�s home.

After being read his Miranda Rights, Murphy reportedly told officers he keeps chickens on the property but does not sell them. However, he later admitted a connection to a cock-fighting operation in St. Lucie County, the arrest report shows. Officers noted that the number of roosters on the property far exceeded the number of hens, and the birds were housed separately. �Numerous roosters had their combs and wattles trimmed,� Adler noted in his arrest report. �This is consistent with animals used for fighting and has no other purpose.�

There were 211 adult chickens located on the property. Also located at Murphy�s home were spur saws, metal spur sheaths, fight records, pamphlets instructing how to train a rooster to fight and Internet articles concerning animal fighting.

Murphy was charged with possession of domesticated animals (chickens) for the purpose of animal fighting and 211 counts of animal cruelty. He was also charged with possessing equipment used in animal fighting. He was booked into the Hardee County Jail without bond.

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References

Sun Herald - June 21, 2007

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