Cockfighting - up to 400 birds seized Naples, FL (US) Incident Date: Sunday, Apr 23, 2006 County: Collier Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abusers/Suspects: » Juan Valdez » Adult » Adult » Adult » Adult » Adult » Adult » Adult » Adult Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 8204 Classification: Fighting Animal: chicken View more cases in FL (US) Login to Watch this Case

Nine men have been arrested and as many as 400 chickens seized in a alleged cockfighting operation in Collier County.

The men were arrested at a Golden Gate Estates house that had a cockfighting arena in the backyard, sheriff's deputies said.

"These are animals that have been trained to kill," said Margo Castorena, director of Collier County Animal Services. "This is a blood sport."

Workers are putting up a tent city and making individual cages for roosters that have to be separated to keep them from fighting to the death, Castorena said.

Some 15 employees worked through Monday on the case, she said.

"Our officers worked tirelessly to ensure evidence is preserved and the birds are treated for their wounds, are housed and are properly cared for," Castorena said.

Officers found dead roosters and roosters with eyes plucked out in fights, she said.

The case began early Monday when deputies, responding to a 911 call, went to a house at 1692 19th St. S.W. in Golden Gate Estates, a rural area east of Naples with 5-acre lots.

When they got to the home, they were met by a boy who told the officers it was all a mistake.

The boy said the 911 call was made by his brother who had been playing with the telephone, sheriff's Cpl. Robert M. Leocadio said in his report.

The deputy said he asked to speak to the boy's parents.

A man looked out the front door, shut it and then re-opened the door and walked out, Leocadio said.

The man, Juan Valdez, 37, identified himself as the homeowner and repeated the story that his son was playing with the telephone, Leocadio said.

Then, "as I was standing in the driveway, I could hear what sounded like yelling or screaming coming from the rear of the home," the deputy said.

Leocadio said he walked around to the backyard to find a large pen and heard the distinct sound of roosters.

He said he opened the gate to find two roosters fighting. On the floor of the arena was a $10 bill, the officer said.

Leocadio said he also saw hundreds of chickens in cages.

Leocadio said he arrested Valdez on a count of using or baiting an animal to fight another animal, a count of operating an animal fighting or baiting facility and a count of charging admission to an animal fight. Each charge is a third-degree felony with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

Eight men were charged with attending an animal fight, also a third-degree felony.

About half the birds seized are roosters. The rest are chickens and hens, Castorena said.

A judge will be asked to declare the chickens and hens as county property so they can be auctioned, she said.

The roosters will have to be destroyed once the case is over because they have been trained to kill, Castorena said.

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References

	News Journal Online
	News-Press - April 25, 2006
	Tampa Bay's 10 - April 24, 2006

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