Cockfighting - 400 birds, chihuahua tied to tree
San Antonio, TX (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Jan 14, 2006
County: Bexar
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged:
» Pedro Lazano
» Elvira Gonzalez
» Jose Arce
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available
Hundreds of roosters and hens, some prized fighters, were seized January 14, 2006 after Bexar County deputies broke up a cock-fighting ring at a home on Cenizo Road. On top of the more than 100 citations, three people were arrested, including the owner of the property where the fights were taking place. Bexar County sheriff's office detectives said they received a tip about the rooster fight just before noon.
When they arrived, there were over 200 people on the property, including women and children. They seized approximately 100 fighting roosters and 100 to 200 hens. Police said they also found four roosters that had already died fighting. "This is a very large scale fight," said Detective Blake Johnson, of the Bexar County Sheriff's Department. "We have the SPCA of Texas seizing the roosters and hens that are on the property." Johnson said some of the roosters might have been valued at up to $10,000. He also said some of the folks who brought the roosters may have been from Louisiana.
When deputies arrived, some people took off running into the woods, leading authorities to tow about 20 to 25 vehicles from the property. The three arrested are being charged with animal cruelty. If convicted, they could face up to two years in a state jail. Those cited with a ticket face a Class C misdemeanor, which carries a $500 fine.
Case Updates| Custody of 161 fighting birds seized during a raid at a cockfight last month was awarded to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Texas on February 2, 2006. On January 30, 2006, the SPCA won custody of 186 hens and roosters rescued during the same Jan. 14, 2006 incident, when Bexar County sheriff's deputies descended on the property in South Bexar County. A Bexar County justice of the peace ruled that the owners of the property where the fights took place must pay $25,760 in restitution to the SPCA, according to an SPCA news release. Three people at the scene, including the property owners, also face animal cruelty charges. | Source: San Antonio Express News - February 3, 2006
Update posted on Mar 19, 2006 - 9:10AM |
More than 300 fighting roosters and hens that were seized during a cockfight earlier this month are a step closer to landing at a much more peaceful home. Round 1 of a custody battle between the Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and a San Antonio man went in favor of the organization. The animal rights group was awarded custody of 186 birds and one Chihuahua.
Including the Chihuahua, a total of 347 birds were seized during a cockfight on a property south of San Antonio.
After a tip, investigators arrived while birds fitted with gaffs were fighting in the pit. Four birds were found dead, killed during fights.
Officers said more than 100 spectators were on the property. The property owner, Pedro Lozano, his common law wife, Elivia Gonzales, and another man, Jose Arc, were arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. Sixty-five citations were also issued.
Trained for blood sports, the SPCA said the birds would not be up for traditional adoption. "They would only go to a sanctuary, that is, they would be a nonprofit specifically to rehabilitate fighting birds," said Anne Barnes, of the SPCA. "They are not going to go to individuals." The dog, which was chained to a tree, will be evaluated for placement in an adoption program.
Another custody hearing for the remaining 161 birds is scheduled. | Source: KSAT News - January 30, 2006
Update posted on Feb 11, 2006 - 9:25PM |
A San Antonio judge will decide what to do with nearly 350 birds rounded up during the biggest cockfighting bust in Texas. It happened nearly three weeks ago, on January 14, 2006. Sheriff's deputies say they raided a house in far southwest Bexar County and discovered nearly 300 people, including children, watching a massive cockfight.
Deputies say the birds were attacking each other with their beaks, and had razor blades attached to their feet. Those birds are now being cared for near Dallas.
The owner of the property, Pedro Lazano, 34, was arrested in the bust; along with his girlfriend, Elivia Gonzales, 31; and another man, Jose Arce, 43. All three face felony charges of animal cruelty. | Source: WOAI News - January 30, 2006
Update posted on Feb 11, 2006 - 5:35AM |
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