Tampa, Florida -- Another cockfighting ring has been shut down in Hillsborough County.
This time it was in a rural area not far from Westchase in the 8000 block of Meadowview Circle.
Ironically the property was recently on the market with a sales description touting it as a "pet-friendly neighborhood." But what the animals were enduring, say officials, was anything anything but that.
Photo Gallery: Pictures of animals caged on the property
Hillsborough County Animal Control workers say the overwhelming, constant crowing from behind the fence is what led to an anonymous tip in October.
It sparked a four-month investigation that ended Wednesday when deputies raided the property and found what they say was clearly an illegal cockfighting operation.
Lt. Rick Jahnke with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's office says there was a fighting ring, and much more. "A number of spurs have been collected and some of the equipment to train the roosters with to actually make them aggressive," he said.
Animal Services spokesperson Marti Ryan called it deplorable.
"It's a maze of heavily brushed and wooded bird cages. There are feathers everywhere. There's feces everywhere. There's little or no water for the animals. It's incredibly dirty, disgusting and inhumane," said Ryan.
On the property, investigators found hundreds of roosters and hens as well as several horses, Jack Russell terriers and their puppies.
"I'm glad they finally got caught. I knew it all along," said neighbor Beverly Sargent.
Sargent described the constant noise and filth as unbearable. It was obvious, she says, that something was going on.
"The people pulling up here. Five, six days a week," she said, "Getting out with more than one person in the vehicle. Reaching in the back, pulling out their burlap bags or sometimes cages. Like doggie carriers, and going in the yard."
So far investigators have made one arrest. 77-year-old Clemente Hernandez faces numerous charges, including illegal gaming and animal cruelty.
Another neighbor says he'd purchased a couple of animals from Hernandez. Frank Bedami says he's surprised.
"It's a shame," said Bedami, "What can you say? I thought he was a nice old man."
The hens and roosters will likely all have to be euthanized, say animal control workers, because steroids and aggressive behavior training have made them unfit for human consumption or use as pets.
"They're not companions. It's not their fault. But they're living a horrible life and today was the day for this to end," said Ryan.
"I think they should go to jail and stay there for a while," said Sargent. "I mean, this is against the law! They're killing these roosters. These roosters are suffering because of it. It's wrong. It's just wrong."
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