Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Cockfighting Farm - over 400 birds

Cockfighting Farm - over 400 birds
Cleveland, OH (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Jun 7, 2006
County: Cuyahoga
Local Map: available
Disposition: Not Charged
Case Images: 1 files available

Persons of Interest:
» Gonzalo Sanchez, Jr.
» Eubidio Rodriguez
» Jose Rodriguez
» Jesus Roman
» Moe Vega

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 8891

Classification: Fighting, Neglect / Abandonment

Animal: chicken

View more cases in OH (US)

Cleveland Police and agents and veterinarians from the Animal Protective League raided an "urban farm" just a few blocks from Public Square on June 7.

The "farm" raised roosters to fight and die for entertainment.

"It's clearly an operation which has a purpose, which is to breed more fighting cocks," the APL's Dori Villalon said.

The raid was at a chicken farm unlike most, tucked in a wooded area on a dead-end street by Cleveland's near-west side industries on West 11th Street. A farm sliced by Interstate 490 and bordered by Clark Field where kids play ball.

Cleveland's building department ordered the property owner to get rid of the roosters. When he did not, they moved in with search warrants Friday.

The people who went into the farm where more than 400 fighting cocks were kept wore hazardous materials suits due to a fear of mites and lice.

"These are not poultry farms for raising eggs or meat -- these are primarily for cockfighting," Cleveland Police Lt. Frank Bolon said.

The farm featured a small practice arena but the fights take place elsewhere. And they've taken place for generations, brought here from cultures where cockfighting is legal.

Police say in this neighborhood there are actually at least seven urban farms that have raised roosters for fighting.

In the shadow of Terminal Tower, roosters were being bred to fight and die in the fighting ring, but now they will be put to death humanely because they were left to die from neglect.

So far the city has not brought criminal charges against the property owner but the APL is considering bringing animal cruelty charges.

Case Updates

Five property owners on West 11th Street have until June 28 to demolish coops where Cleveland police last week removed more than 400 chickens, and a number of roosters authorities said were used for illegal cockfighting.

The order to tear down the coops came from Cleveland Housing Court because the five men did not have occupancy permits required for poultry enclosures on three parcels.

The owners face contempt of court charges if they fail to demolish the coops. The City of Cleveland can also condemn the chicken coops and tear them down.

Richard H. Drucker, lawyer for the five West Side residents, said Tuesday they are getting a demolition permit, but they will also appeal the Housing Court's decision. Drucker said city claims that roosters were used for cockfighting are false.

"The coops have been there for decades, and the chickens have not been a nuisance," Drucker said. "Raising chickens is a hobby in Puerto Rico, and they feel like they are being picked on by the city to shut them down."

Officials finished cleaning out the coops June 10. All roosters have been euthanized. Doves, and four families of hens and chicks, are awaiting adoption through the Animal Protective League.

"Based upon the conditions we saw, many of the roosters were more likely to end up in a fighting situation," said Jed Mignano, chief humane investigator for the APL. "A vast majority of them had markings that strongly indicate a fighting animal."

The property owners were identified as: Gonzalo Sanchez Jr., Eubidio Rodriguez, Jose Rodriguez, Jesus Roman and Moe Vega. They do not live at the properties where the animals were in coops.

The men violated building and zoning codes by keeping several hundred live chickens, roosters, doves and chicks on their properties without having first obtained a certificate of occupancy, according to Housing Court records.

Mignano said more chicken coops on the street have to be cleared, and the APL is more than willing to assist the city. "Since 2004, the APL has been trying to get more help. These issues should have been addressed years ago," he added.

The City of Cleveland filed civil charges against the men because that allowed authorities to immediately move in and clear the properties.

To contact the Animal Protective League: 216-771-4616.

Source: The Plain Dealer - June 14, 2006
Update posted on Jun 14, 2006 - 6:22PM

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Cockfighting Farm - over 400 birdsCleveland, OH (US)

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Cockfighting Farm - over 400 birds
Cleveland, OH (US)