Cockfighting - 100 birds
Philadelphia, PA (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 20, 2008
County: Philadelphia
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Miquel Mantilla
» Carmen Soto
» Nelson DeJesus
» Marvin Soto
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Animal abuse charges are pending after authorities discovered a makeshift farm and apparent illegal cock fighting ring in a Philadelphia home.
Members of the Philadelphia Animal Care and Control Association were called to a literal animal house on the 4900 block of Reese Street in the Hunting Park section of the city Friday morning.
Inside the home, PAACA discovered dozens of birds, including roosters, mallards, pigeons and even a red-tailed hawk. Several malnourished dogs were also discovered.
Elizabeth Sorel with the Pennsylvania SPCA said evidence of illegal cock fighting was found near the home.
"We found a shed of roosters, chickens. The roosters were dressed to fight. There was a little ring set up for them to fight in; blood splatters on the wall," she said.
The SPCA said a mother Pit Bull and her puppies were recovered from the home.
Investigators are trying to determine if some of the animals were being sold for food. Sorel said the SPCA had visited the home for a previous offense.
"At one time, they had several booths set up outdoors. We got involved then and dismantled everything, but it turns out they moved everything inside," Sorel said.
Police are now trying to local the owner of the animals and those responsible for the property.
Case UpdatesDuring the investigation, undercover police purchased cocaine, which enabled them to obtain search warrants for two locations on the 4200 block of Reese Street.
While searching the locations for drugs, police noticed what appeared to be a dog and cockfighting ring in the back of another nearby property.
Miquel Mantilla, 44, Carmen Soto, 47, Nelson Dejesus, 36, and Marvin Soto, 18, all of Reese Street, were charged with possession with intent to deliver, manufacturing drugs and related narcotics offenses. Charges are also pending from the SPCA. Family members of those arrested refused to speak with NBC10. The SPCA said one of those arrested owns the property.
Police confiscated 60 grams of cocaine with a street value of $6,000, 10 grams of marijuana and nearly $5,000 in cash.
Philadelphia police said many of the animals were severely injured and all jammed together in filthy conditions, according to the SPCA. The dogs were taken to the SPCA. According to the SPCA, dogs' ears had been clipped and were infected and bleeding. They were malnourished and dehydrated. Some dogs had just given birth and others were ready to have puppies.
But dogs don't even make up half of what state and Philadelphia police found. "Ninety-four birds, including the deceased ones. Nine dogs, that's including the puppies," Wayne Smith, SPCA humane officer, said. According to officials, mallard ducks were covered in motor oil. Hens, roosters and dogs were used for fighting. Even a hawk was found although its use has animal control officers scratching their heads. "A hawk in a cage. That's something you usually see flying around maybe you'd be on the expressway and you'd see it on the highway sign. But it was a hawk in a cage," Smith said. Officials said the hawk may not survive.
Police said across an alley they found a garage loaded with more than 100 animals, including the ring investigators believe was the ring the animals were forced to fight in, according to investigators. "Inside the ring we found the mom and four pups. And one of the deceased pups was actually in the ring with the mom," Smith said. "I feel bad for these animals. How can people not have a heart and feel nothing for them?" Investigators said there is only one way in and out of the alley and think others knew what was happening there. | Source: NBC10 News - March 32, 2008
Update posted on Mar 24, 2008 - 12:24AM |
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