ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents Bust Bronx Cockfighting Ring

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Monday, 28 April 2003

77 suspects arrested, 19 fighting roosters and $17,000 in cash seized.

Early this afternoon, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agents arrested two suspects and seized approximately 125 fighting roosters, 10 hens and 18 chicks in connection with an illegal cockfighting operation in the Bronx. Antonio Acosta and Julio Candell were arrested in the basement of a home at 846 East 156th Street. They were charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Antonio Acosta, a 42-year-old Hispanic male resides at 671 Westchester Avenue and Julio Candell, a 67-year-old Hispanic male resides at 320 E. 167th Street.

Yesterday, a search warrant was executed at 869 Longwood Avenue in the Bronx. 77 people were arrested and 19 fighting roosters and over $17,000 in cash were seized. Eight of the suspects arrested were charged with felony animal fighting, promoting gambling and criminal facilitation and are awaiting arraignment at Bronx Criminal Court. In addition, 69 spectators were charged with misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and issued summonses for future criminal court dates.

The raid on Saturday was the culmination of a three-month-long investigation into suspected illegal cockfighting and gambling in the Bronx. The arrests were a joint effort by the ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement Department, NYPD Bronx Warrant Squad, Intelligence Division and Emergency Service Unit, the Special Agents of the Inspector General's Office of the USDA, and the Bronx County District Attorney's Office.

The location of the raid at 869 Longwood Avenue was fortified with steel doors and radio equipped lookouts and security guards. The location included food stands, and a dice table for patrons. There were also areas on the premises for the preparation of the roosters for fighting.

The fighting roosters were humanely euthanized at the ASPCA on Sunday. The hens and chicks were being cared for at the ASPCA and will be transported to an animal sanctuary in the coming days.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org