Fighting (cock)
Date 04-15-1996
County Hillsborough
Suspect Hector Torres
Address 6602 S. 32nd Ave., Tampa, FL 33619
Animals seized 116
Animal type roosters
Seventy-four people, including nine who face felony charges, were arrested during a raid of an alleged cock-fighting ring Sunday, Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies said.
More than 116 roosters, shaved and ready to fight, were confiscated from 6602 S. 32nd Ave. One dead and eight seriously injured roosters were taken by Hillsborough Animal Services officers.
Charged with three third-degree felony charges that include fighting and baiting animals, keeping a gambling house and managing a facility for fighting, was property owner Hector Torres, 42, of 6602 S. 32nd Ave., said sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter.
Torres also was charged with a misdemeanor for attending a fight. Torres is one of nine people charged with felonies. Others were charged with attending a cockfight, a misdemeanor, while one person was charged with drug possession and another for illegally carrying a short-barrel shotgun, Carter said.
Investigators had been watching activities at the shabby, faded green farm for two weeks after receiving anonymous complaints about crowing roosters, said Capt. Ken Allen of the sheriff's office.
Shortly before 3 p.m., search warrant in hand, deputies raided the compound while about 90 spectators packed the arena, Allen said.
"This investigation is continuing and could net even more arrests," Allen said.
Roosters could be heard a block away crowing from cages inside and outside the farmhouse.
Several roosters, their bodies raw and battered and their beaks dripping with blood, were kept in separate cages.
Sheriff's officials in camouflage milled around dozens of men and women processing their arrests.
The nine people charged with felonies stood handcuffed in the same prepping area used for roosters.
