 Cockfighting - 84 birds
Wildwood, FL (US)Incident Date: Monday, Jul 14, 2003
County: Sumter
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Ross Earl Johnson, Jr
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A Sumter County man was arrested after a cockfighting investigation at his home. Investigators confiscated more than 80 roosters and hens at the home of Ross Earl Johnson Jr. in the 2800 block of County Road 505, according to a Sumter County sheriff's report. They also found nine dead roosters as well as gaffs and spurs used on roosters during fights, the report said.
"We learned about this on a tip," Capt. Gary Brannen said.
Johnson, 34, was being held in the Sumter County Jail on $20,500 bail. He was arrested on charges of fighting and baiting animals, nine counts of animal cruelty and possession of marijuana.
If found guilty, Johnson could spend as many as 50 years in prison, but the gamecocks have been effectively given a death sentence. Evans says, because they are so aggressive and have been bred to fight, there's no way to rehabilitate them and more than likely all 84 will be euthanized.
Investigators say they've interviewed several other suspects they believe were involved in the illegal fights and more arrests are likely. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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