A Tampa man was arrested Monday after deputies say they found a cockfighting ring in Wimauma.
Orlado Rodriguez, 43, is facing charges of aggravated cruelty to animals, baiting, breeding, owning or possessing animals, and owning equipment for animal fighting.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to 5310 Ruth Morris Road to investigate a report of possible shots fired.
When they arrived, they found Rodriguez hiding behind a large chicken coop at the rear of the property, officials said. Deputies also found a large number of chickens, some of which were fighting each other.
(Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
An animal control officer arrived and identified a cockfighting training ring. Deputies say that inside the ring were two roosters that had been prepared for fighting and training, including the removal of chest and leg feathers and sparring gloves.
The ring also included a timer, weight scale and record book. A brown rooster was dead inside the ring.
Investigators say they found a total of 107 fighting roosters inside the chicken coop.