Cockfighting - approximately 100 birds seized
Phoenix, AZ (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Nov 4, 2007
County: Maricopa
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Carlos Lemus
A Phoenix man faces felony and misdemeanor animal-cruelty charges for taking part in an illegal cockfighting operation, police said.
Carlos Lemus, 42, lives on the property where the cockfights took place and owned the roosters involved, according to police.
Police said they responded to a fight call on Sunday near Central Avenue and Dobbins Road.
Officers pulled up and said they discovered an apparent cockfighting operation at Lemus' home in the 300 block of West Euclid Road.
The Arizona Humane Society assisted officers in rounding up and caring for dozens of roosters, including some that were gravely injured.
Three birds were found dead, apparently as a result of illegal fighting, police said.
AHS emergency animal medical technicians said they discovered around 100 hens and roosters living in cages and removed 30 injured birds from the property under orders from police. All of the birds had to be euthanized.
Ten birds had obvious injuries, including slices to the chest, legs and wings, AHS officials said.
Some of the birds still had apparatus called gaffs to support blades attached to their legs, according to AHS.
"This horrible and cruel blood sport in which birds are drugged with stimulants, fitted with razor-sharp steel blades and forced to fight to death is illegal in Arizona, and there is no place for this type of crime in a civilized society," said Kim Noetzel, AHS director of marketing and community relations.
EAMTs and police said they also found gaffs, medication and weapons on the property. All items were impounded by officers.
Lemus was charged with having a cockfighting operation on his property and being a spectator at a cockfight. References« AZ State Animal Cruelty Map
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