cockfighting - Shore News Network

Galloway Township Cockfighting Raid Leads to Calls for Legislative Action

Charlie DwyerMarch 11, 20240

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NJ — Following a substantial bust of a cockfighting operation in Galloway Township, Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, is urging New Jersey’s Congressional delegation to prioritize the passage of the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act. This legislation aims to tackle the widespread issue of dogfighting and cockfighting across the country. The Galloway Township Police Department’s recent operation led to 52 arrests and the seizure of $37,000 in cash. Authorities discovered 50 roosters, some in bags, and dogs living in deplorable conditions, shedding light on the cruel

Huntingtown Man Convicted in Cockfighting Case

Jessica WoodsJanuary 16, 20240

Luis Alberto Hinojosa Morales, a 36-year-old resident of Huntingtown, was convicted by a Calvert County District Court Judge of 10 felony animal cruelty charges related to illegal cockfighting. The conviction, delivered on January 12, 2024, stems from an investigation that began in August 2022. Neighbors had reported disturbances caused by a large number of roosters on Morales’ property. Calvert County Animal Control, upon inspection, found evidence suggestive of the birds being groomed for cockfighting, along with tools typically used in such operations. A court-ordered search warrant led to the removal of the animals from Morales’ property. Following the January 12

Six Arrested for Conspiracy and Operation of An Illegal Cockfighting Gambling Business

Indira PatelNovember 16, 20230

HONOLULU – Edward Caspino, 46, of Waianae, William Caspino, 48, of Waianae, Lavern Joseph, 71, of Waianae, and Kerilyn Keliinoi, 31, of Waianae were arraigned today on a four-count Indictment returned by a federal grand jury on October 26, 2023. All four pled not guilty, and trial was set for January 17, 2024. Two other defendants, Fauston Aragon, Jr., 65, of Pearl City, and Howard Unebasami, 80, of Waianae, are expected to appear later this week. Counts 1 and 2 of the Indictment charge all six defendants with conspiracy and the operation of an illegal gambling business. According to the

California County Seeking Ways to Combat Illegal Cockfighting

Ryan DickinsonAugust 18, 20230

Sacramento, CA- In a move to clamp down on the rampant illegal cockfighting in the state, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors is exploring an ordinance to restrict private ownership of roosters. The proposal, exempting legitimate agricultural operators, aims to significantly reduce the number of roosters that can be kept on private property. The issue is scheduled for review at the board’s meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, following investigations conducted by Animal Wellness Action into illegal cockfighting operations within the county. Despite being outlawed under both California and federal law, cockfighting remains the state’s most widespread form of illegal animal

Cock-A-Doodle-Do No-No: Lethal Cockfighting Spurs Seized by CBP Officers in Louisville

US Border PatrolJanuary 31, 20230

LOUISVILLE, Ky— A package arriving from Mexico City was targeted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Louisville Port of Entry on Jan 17. The officers inspected the parcel and found 120 cockfighting spurs and 2 gaffs/leg attachment sheaths. The shipment, headed to a residence in Rantoul, Illinois, was manifested as handcrafted Mexican artisan rattles. These spurs are illegal in the U.S. under Title 7 U.S. Code 2156 that states the buying, selling, delivering, or transporting sharp instruments for use in animal fighting ventures is prohibited. Additionally, cockfighting is illegal as part of the Farm Act, which

Seven Chilton County Residents Sentenced for Felony Violations of the Animal Welfare Act, Ending One of the Largest Cockfighting Operations in the Country

DOJ PressDecember 7, 20220

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA – A seventh and final Verbena, Alabama, resident was sentenced yesterday for violating the Animal Welfare Act’s prohibition against animal fighting ventures in connection with an expansive cockfighting operation. This marks the end of a series of sentencings in which the Court held four Alabama residents accountable for their roles in operating a large-scale cockfighting arena (cockfighting pit) and massive fighting-bird breeding businesses, and for conspiring to violate the Animal Welfare Act and to operate an illegal gambling business. The Court determined that the illegal conduct involved animal fighting on an “exceptional scale”

Two Charged for Illegal Cockfighting in Violation of the Animal Welfare Act in Bakersfield

DOJ PressMay 5, 20220

FRESNO, Calif. — Today, a federal grand jury charged Jorge Calderon-Campos, 41, and Horacio Ortega-Martinez, 35, both Mexican nationals residing in Bakersfield, in separate indictments with unlawful possession of animals for an animal fighting venture, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced. According to court documents, Calderon-Campos and Ortega-Martinez communicated frequently throughout February 2022 about illegal cockfighting events, including an event Calderon-Campos attended on February 12 at which 15 roosters fought to win a $5,000 purse. On April 26, 2022, numerous law enforcement agencies served a search warrant at Ortega-Martinez’s residence and discovered approximately 250 roosters, approximately 250 “gaffs” (razor-sharp steel blades

Owner of third cockfighting venue sentenced to prison for illegal animal fighting operation

DOJ PressJanuary 7, 20220

STATESBORO, GA: A Burke County man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to operating a cockfighting venue. William Shannon Scott, 49, of Midville, Ga., was sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to Sponsoring and Exhibiting an Animal in an Animal Fighting Venture, said David H. Estes, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also ordered Scott to pay a fine of $2,500 and a special assessment of $100 and to forfeit the land on which the fights were held, prohibited him from owning birds or fowl or

Owner of cockfighting venue sentenced to prison for running illegal animal fighting operation

DOJ PressNovember 29, 20210

STATESBORO, GA: An Emanuel County man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to operating a cockfighting venue. Wendell Allan Strickland, 67, of Swainsboro, Ga., was sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Sponsoring and Exhibiting an Animal in an Animal Fighting Venture; two counts of Conducting an Illegal Gambling Business; and one count of Possession and Transport of an Animal in an Animal Fighting Venture, all felonies; and one misdemeanor charge of Attending an Animal Fighting Venture, said Acting U.S. Attorney David H. Estes. U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall also