Cockfighting - at least 30 birds seized
West Palm Beach, FL (US)Incident Date: Friday, Aug 29, 2008
County: Palm Beach
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Luis Justo Serrano
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
Authorities in South Florida have seized at least 30 chickens believed to be used for illegal cockfighting.
Detective Cassie Kovacs of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office says the birds were found Friday in the West Palm Beach house of Gusto Serrano. He was arrested and faces several charges of violating animal fighting statutes.
Earlier this month, authorities seized from a property in Belle Glades 85 roosters and two hens also believed to belong to Serrano. Kovacs says an investigation stemming from that incident led to Friday's search, where numerous hens and chicks were found. Animal control took custody of the birds. Those used for fighting will be euthanized.
It's not known whether Serrano has a lawyer yet.
Case UpdatesA 37-year-old West Palm Beach man is in the Palm Beach County Jail today on charges he kept about 90 roosters and hens in captivity to breed and train them for cockfighting, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Deputies found 31 caged roosters when they searched the home in the 5200 block of Wallis Road on Aug. 29. Some had body parts removed in a manner consistent with preparing them for fighting.
Hens, chicks and juvenile roosters also were found in cages, along with several incubators filled with broken egg shells and live chicks, deputies said.
Luis Justo Serrano was charged today with selling and possessing animals to fight and possession of equipment for animal fighting.
He was arrested on similar charges in Belle Glade in July. Serrano was not arrested immediately after the Aug. 29 search because the investigation had to be completed, said PBSO Spokesperson Teri Barbera.
A circular structure about a dozen feet in diameter with walls about 3 feet high was found on Serrano's property on Wallis Road. The structure, with a wire top and florescent lights on the inside walls, was hidden behind dark green mesh material. Such structures are commonly used to train and host rooster fights.
Stakes with cords attached that are used to tie rooster's legs while the birds are trained were on the property, deputies said.
Photographs and videos of cockfighting were found in Serrano's residence. Drugs that are commonly used to inject roosters to enhance their cockfighting skills and records of injections were also found. Deputies also found syringes and vials of antibiotics.
Serrano is being held on $6,000 bond. | Source: Palm Beach Post - Sept 25, 2008
Update posted on Sep 25, 2008 - 11:06PM |
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