Cockfighting ring busted after attendee orders pizza
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. » Authorities say a central Florida cockfighting ring has been brought down because some of the attendees ordered a pizza.
Polk County deputies went to the Winter Haven home Monday and reported finding 123 roosters and chickens, a fighting ring, "boxing gloves" for practice and ceramic spurs for the actual fights. Investigators say nine of the roosters were bred at the property and had been prepped to fight. The deputies learned about the operation from a pizza delivery driver who had taken an order to the home Friday night.
Eliut Juse Serrano Hernandez, who lives at the home, faces multiple charges, including nine counts of possession of animals for the purpose of fighting. Deputies say the 38-year-old admitted to owning the roosters and to holding fights there once or twice.
Two others at the home were arrested on unrelated drug charges.