A Lehigh Acres man was arrested on Friday after being accused of running and owning a cockfighting ring.
According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Carlos Antonio Alvares, 54, is accused of training, owning, and breeding a domestic animal for cockfighting, animal fighting or baiting.
The report states deputies responded to a home on Friday, Nov. 8, around 10:48 a.m. in regards to an animal call.
An animal control officer said the department had received a complaint about a cockfighting ring and tied-up dead roosters at an intersection near the home three days before.
When animal control arrived, there were no signs of a cockfighting ring.
On Nov. 8, animal control went back to the house to check on the rooster's well-being.
The animal control officer was taken to the back of the home, where there were multiple cages with roosters.
The report states one of the animals had an injury to one of the spurs, and all of them had their earlobes, waddled and combs removed.
The report states that the roosters fight among themselves.
An animal control office also noticed a rooster dummy used for training with spur marks, cuts, and punctures. A sling, scale, and foam/rubber boxing used to protect the rooster's spurs were also found.
The Animal Cruelty Task Force and an Agricultural Unit deputy used their knowledge and experience to confirm that the animals were being trained to fight.
Detectives completed a search warrant for the property and confirmed all items were being used to train the roosters.
They found:
- 6 hens
- 5 roosters
- Training mitts
- Weight sling
- Digital scale
- Rubber bands
- Surgical tape
- Training dummy
- Chicken ring
- Supplement bottles
- Tubotonic (aves de combate:birds of combat)
- Gallomin (vitamins)
- Dewormx (dewormer)
- Trifenplus (anti parasite)
- Vaccine vial with syringes
- Vial of horse lacquer
While serving the search warrant, detectives noticed a camera at the back of the home facing the rooster.
A search warrant was issued to obtain the footage.
LCSO stated:
"It sickens me that people will use animals for entertainment purposes. I promise to always protect those who cannot defend themselves, and that includes animals of all kind. I am proud of my Agriculture Unit and Animal Cruelty Task Force for completing a quick and efficient investigation that resulted in an arrest. This is a great example of how "see it, say it, make the call" can result in shutting down criminal activity."
The current condition of the animals is unknown.