Cockfighting - nearly 100 birds, over 100 spectators
Miami, FL (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Mar 25, 2004
County: Miami-Dade
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Candido Proenza
Miami-Dade police found nearly 100 birds on the afternoon of Thursday March 25, 2004 when officers raided a cockfighting ring near Florida's Turnpike and the county line in Northwest Miami-Dade. More than 40 people were arrested and charged with organizing the ring, which police said operated out of a large shack at 17800 NW 129th Ave.
More than 100 spectators were in the shack, police said. Rather than charge those people with a crime, police gave them a warning. But, next time, there won't be a warning, police said.
Under a state law passed in October, just attending a cockfight is a felony; it used to be a misdemeanor.
"We did arrest the owners, bettors and other people involved in the fighting," said Detective Juan DelCastillo, a Miami-Dade police spokesman, ``but we aren't charging the other people we found inside because the department felt it was in the community's best interest to warn people about the new law.''
"Even being a spectator is against the law, just like it is with drag racing," DelCastillo said.
Candido Proenza, 76, who owns the property, was charged with running a cockfighting ring and gambling operation. About 40 others were charged with felonies for their involvement.
"We had heard that on other days this place would draw as many as 200 people," DelCastillo said. "We know of other places where this is going on, but we have to take it one at a time." References« FL State Animal Cruelty Map
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