MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A cockfighting ring operating in southwest Miami-Dade was shut down Friday afternoon after deputies responding to a report of a violent altercation discovered dozens of people allegedly participating in illegal animal fighting, authorities confirmed in an arrest report obtained Monday by Local 10 News.
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Deputies with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said they were dispatched to the 14000 block of Southwest 192nd Avenue just after 4 p.m. following a 911 call reporting a large fight that may have involved knives and machetes.
But what they found at the rural property went beyond a dispute.
According to MDSO, deputies arrived to find a large crowd gathered and numerous roosters roaming freely around the property.
As law enforcement moved in, deputies said “multiple individuals” began fleeing in all directions — some on foot, others in vehicles.
They said one person was quickly detained and was found carrying rooster spurs, a common tool used in cockfighting.
Soon after, members of MDSO’s Organized Crimes Bureau and Vice and Intelligence Squad responded and began a formal investigation.
Authorities said the investigation led to the arrests of 42 individuals, who were charged with offenses, including attending the fighting or baiting of animals and resisting arrest without violence.
In addition to the arrests, detectives seized $39,147 in cash from individuals at the scene and impounded the money as suspected proceeds of illegal gambling, according to the report.
The report stated that a total of 72 roosters were located and removed from the property.
“This type of cruelty and illegal activity has no place in our community,” Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said in a statement sent to Local 10 News on Friday following the arrests.. “Animal fighting is not only inhumane, but it often goes hand-in-hand with other serious crimes. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting both the people and the animals of our community.”
Local 10 News obtained arrest reports for five individuals: Juan Gonzalez, 53, and Osbel Alfonso, 32, both of Hialeah; Frank Miguel Delgado Casas, 36; Tomas La Rosa Hernandez, 34,; and Dennis Chov Moreno, 53. All five face one count each of attending or baiting an animal fight.
A responding deputy said he was initially notified of a fight near the area of Southwest 192nd Avenue and Southwest 136th Street.
A complainant directed him to the address, where the deputy said he saw “clear evidence” of an active rooster fighting event and people attempting to escape as deputies arrived.
Authorities said Gonzalez was eventually taken into custody near what appeared to be a makeshift fighting ring.
Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could be filed as officials work to identify other individuals who fled the scene.
Jail records show Alfonso, Gonzalez, and Delgado Casas were not listed as inmates as of Monday morning. However, La Rosa Hernandez and Moreno remained at the Metrowest Detention Center on immigration holds.
MDSO is also urging anyone with information about similar illegal activities to contact Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
