TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested four people in connection with a cockfighting ring.
- 4 arrested and charged in cockfighting ring bust
- 60 roosters and four dogs seized
- Owner of the Progress Village-areas home still being sought
- More Hillsborough County stories
According to deputies, the arrests came during a raid Wednesday at a home in the 3700 block of 70th Street in the Progress Village area of Tampa.
Investigators said they recovered 60 roosters and four dogs from the property.
Deputies arrested 54-year-old Irma Arcaya, 76-year-old Rogel Martinez Perez, 54-year-old Pedro Rodriguez, and 71-year-old Lazo Fernandez.
(Left to Right): Irma Arcaya, Pedro Rodriguez, Rogel Martinez Perez and Lazo Ernesto Fernandez (Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office)
They are each facing charges of owning equipment for animal fighting and possession of an animal for fighting.
One of the men arrested denied the charges, saying the roosters were pets and the building was being converted into apartments.
The sheriff's office said otherwise.
"We don't believe that's what they were doing," Sheriff's Spokesperson Amanda Granit said. "We believe this was an illegal cockfighting ring. all cockfighting rings are illegal and we will prosecute them as such."
There also is an arrest warrant for Raul Gonzalez Torres, the 38-year-old owner of the property.