Who, age	What	Where	When	Last Known Address
Jorge Ortiz, 53 (1)	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998
Joseph Vasquez, 16	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998
Eduardo Perez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Taunton, MA
Jesus Collazo	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Providence, RI
Higino Ortiz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Hernado Castillo	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Rochdale, MA
Bolival Lame	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Taunton, MA
Hector Ortiz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	New Britain, CT
Miguel Ortega	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Worcester, MA
Jose Torres	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Taunton, MA
Juan Alicea	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Renaldo Padilla	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Christino Cotto	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Springfield, CT
Luis Soberal	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Stratford, CT
Jose Ortiz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Jonathan Vasquez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998
Edwin Conzalez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Antonio Perez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Joaquin Negron	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	99A Karen Court Bridgeport, CT
Teofilo Aviles	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Meriden, CT
Antonio Lopez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Naugatuck, CT
Wilfredo Ortiz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Shelton, CT
Rene Rodriguez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Prospect, CT
Carlos Velazquez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Holyoke, MA
Ramon Serrato	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Brooklyn, NY
Roberto Perz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Norwalk, CT
Juan Oritz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Mario Roldan	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	South Norwalk, CT
Gilberto Sanchez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Edilberto Rivera	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Hector Serrano	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Hartford, CT
Angel Nazario	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Harwinton, CT
Felix Rodriguez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Taunton, MA
Alejandro Rivera	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	New Britain, CT
Luis Flores	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Windsor, CT
Robert Torruella	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Fundador Perez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Hartford, CT
Jannise Seda	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Worcester, MA
Horatio Diaz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Taunton, MA
Ricard Hernandez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Jesus Roman	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Guilford, CT
Miguel Gonzalez, 12	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	8 Deacan St. Bridgeport CT
Miguel DeJesus	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Hartford, CT
Miguel Gonzalez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	45 Holroyd St. Bridgeport, CT
Salvador Acosta	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Hartford, CT
Carmen Velaquez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Hartford, CT
Myma Velez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Hartford, CT
Melvin Hernandez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Joaquin Negron	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	189 Holly St. Bridgeport, CT
Alberto Merced	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bristol, CT
Jorgitto Rames	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Hiram Sanchez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Roberto Delgado	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Luis Rodriguez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	New Britain, CT
Pedro Santiago	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Samuel Ramos	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Luis Vasquez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Ildefonso Cuevas	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Freddy Munoz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Samuel Rodriquez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Boston, MA
Juan Jiminez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Jose Santos	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Taunton, MA
Luis Villalobos	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Providence, RI
Jacob Santos	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Holyoke, MA
Juan Montanez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Holyoke, MA
Vincente Gonzalez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Chicopee, MA
Daniel Martinez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Holyoke, MA
Ali Rivera	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Ramon Cadreja	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Brooklyn, NY
Victor Sanchez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Worcester, MA
Karl Vasguez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998
Jorge Leon	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Westbrook, CT
Victor Rivera	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Holyoke, MA
Jose Torres	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	West Granby, CT
Mixxino Quinones	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Worcester, MA
Jose Jinewez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	New Britain, CT
Luis Carboneau	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Justino Villafane	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Norwalk, CT
Jose Montanez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	South Norwalk, CT
Jovanny Gonzalez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998
Carlos Talavera	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	New Britain, CT
Angel Navarro	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	New Britain, CT
Javier Medina	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Meriden, CT
Felix Caez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Worcester, MA
Saturino Vargas	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Springfield, CT
Rogue Santiago	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Meriden, CT
Angel Lajara	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Dennis Ortiz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Ramon Marrero	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Taunton, MA
Jose Vasquez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Ramon Merced	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Bridgeport, CT
Jesus Rodriquez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Manguel Ramos	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Hartford, CT
Jose Torres	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury,CT
Antonio Ortiz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Springfield, MA
Jose Malave	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Juan Lugo	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998
Jaime Homar	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Lawrence, MA
Alvin Rodriguez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Pablo Torres	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Enrique Torrez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Hector Rodriguez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Luis Munoz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Yago, Puerto Rico
Reinaldo Valentin	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Holyoke, MA
Carlos Agostini	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Wallingford, CT
Carlos Cruz	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Francis Fernandez	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Methuen, MA
Francisco DeJesus	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Worcester, MA
Pablo Murillo	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Worcester, MA
Cesar Murillo	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Clinton, MA
Jose Albino	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Cesilio Quinones	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Waterbury, CT
Domingo Gil	Cockfighting	Clinton, CT Middlesex County	January 31, 1998	Lawrence, MA
Type of Crime	Other Crimes	#/Type of animal(s) involved	Case Status	Next Court Date /Courthouse
(1) Felony; Misdemeanor	illegal gambling, drugs	51 birds	Convicted	Middleton Superior Court

Investigators announced that they had viewed one of two videotapes seized during the raid at 56 Sunnybrook Lane and it shows 2 5-minute cockfights. During one of the fights, 1 of the birds is killed by the other. The other fight ends with both birds alive, police said.  The faces of many of the people attending the fight were also captured on the tape by the panning camera operator.

Police have not viewed the second tape, which was recorded and seized from another man, but they suspect that it will show more fights and more faces in the basement of the home.

The tapes are expected to be handed over to prosecutors who will use them to support their case against the 113 people who were arrested and charged with various gambling-related offenses.

Police believe that the ranch was part of a loosely organized, but popular cockfighting circuit. The house owner is listed as Jorge Ortiz who was also arrested.

Besides Ortiz police also arrested:

From Connecticut:  Higino ORTIZ, 572 William St., Bridgeport; Hector ORTIZ, 83 Daly Ave., New Britain; Juan ALICEA, 21 E. Liberty St., Waterbury; Renaldo PADILLA, 235-7 Platt St., Waterbury; Christino CORRO, 45 Orchard St., Springfield; Luis SOBERAL, 135 West Ave., 3rd Floor., Stratford; Jose ORTIZ, 98 Rost St. No. 2, Waterbury; Jonathan VASQUEZ, 56 Sunnybrook Lane, Clinton; Edwin GONZALEZ, Marina Village Bldg. 35, No. 60, Bridgeport; Antonio PEREZ, 1209 Central Ave., Bridgeport; Joaquin NEGRON, 99A Karen Court, Bridgeport; Teofilo AVILES, 76 Twiss St., Meriden; Antonio LOPEZ, 103 Phoenix St., Naugatuck; Wilfredo ORTIZ, 39 Richard Boulevard, Shelton; Rene RODRIGUEZ, 57 Clark St., Prospect; Roberto PEREZ, 18 Lynes Place, Norwalk; Juan ORTIZ, 136 Deacon St., Bridgeport; Mario ROLDAN, 28 Knapp St., South Norwalk; Gilberto SANCHEZ, 1215 E. Main St., Bridgeport; Edilberto RIVERA, 1190 Central Ave., Bridgeport; Hector SERRANO, 48 Browell Ave., Hartford; Angel NAZARIO, 381 Litchfield Road, Harwinton; Alejandro RIVERA, 164 Clark St., New Britain; Luis FLORES, 63 Green Manor, Windsor; Robert TORRUELLA, 30 William St., Waterbury; Fundador PEREZ, 90 Flatbush Ave., Hartford; Ricard HERNANDEZ, 1215 E. Main St., Bridgeport; Jesus ROMAN, 249 Long Hill Rd., Guilford; Miguel GONZALEZ, age 12, 8 Deacan St., Bridgeport; Miguel DeJESUS, 679 Flatbush Ave., Hartford; Miguel GONZALEZ, 45 Holroyd St., Bridgeport; Salvador ACOSTA, 804 Capitol Ave., Hartford; Carmen VELAQUEZ, 804 Capitol Ave., Hartford; Myrna VELEZ, 804 Capitol Ave., Hartford; Melvin HERNANDEZ, 1189 Capital Ave., Bridgeport; Joaquin NEGRON, 189 Holly St., Bridgeport; Alberto MERCED, 10 Luthor St., Bristol; Jorgitto RAMES, 187 Plaza Ave., Waterbury; Hiram SANCHEZ, 1896 Seaview Ave., Bridgeport; Roberto DELGADO, 222 Bradley Ave., Waterbury; Luis RODRIGUEZ, 158 Malikowski Circle, New Britain; Pedro SANTIAGO , 25 Whitecroft Lane, Waterbury; Samuel RAMOS, 185 Cottage St., Bridgeport; Luis VASQUEZ, 411 Sylvan Ave., Waterbury; Ildefonso CUEVAS, 298 Columbus Ave., Waterubury; Freddy MUNOZ, 71 South View, Waterbury; Juan JIMINEZ, 505 Baldwin Ave., Waterbury; Ali RIVERA, 36 Plaza Ave., Waterbury; Karl VASQUEZ, 56 Sunnybrook Lane, Clinton; Jorge LEON, 1393 Boston Post Road, Westbrook; Jose TORRESS, 225 Heartland Rd., West Granby; Jose JINEWEZ, 83 Daily Ave., New Britain; Luis CARBONEAU, 9 Newman Ave., Waterbury; Justino VILLAFANE, 1 Center Ave., Norwalk, CT; Jose MONTANEZ, 8 Testa Place, South Norwalk; Carlos TALAVERA, 70 Oak St., New Britain; Gilberto CORDERO, 60 S. Main St., South Norwalk; Angel NAVARRO, 164 Clark St., New Britain; Javier MEDINA, 690 Broad St., Meriden; Saturino VARGAS, 428 Franklyn St., Springfield; Rogue SANTIAGO, 118 Colony St., Meriden, CT; Angel LAJARA, 70 Strand St., Bridgeport; Dennis ORTIZ, 136 Deacon St., Bridgeport; Jose VASQUEZ, 166 W. Main St., Waterbury; Ramon MERCED, 985 Noble Ave., Bridgeport; Jesus RODRIGUEZ, 179 N. Main St., Waterbury; Manguel RAMOS, 177 Newbury St., Hartford; Jose TORRES, 24 Wall St., Waterbury; Jose MALAVE, 13 Mortimer St., Waterbury; Juan LUGO, 125 W. Main St., Clinton; Alvin RODRIGUEZ, 16 Rye St., Waterbury; Pablo TORRES, 71 Vermont St., Waterbury; Enrique TORREZ, 170 Wood St., Waterbury; Hector RODRIGUEZ, 4 Vermont St., Waterbury; Reinaldo VALENTIN, 115 Cabot St., Holyoke, MA; Carlos AGOSTINI, 11689 Durham Road, Wallingford; Carlos CRUZ, 44 Putnam Ave., Waterbury; Jose ALBINO, 24 Wall St., Waterbury and Cesilio QUINONES, 30 William St., Waterbury.

From Massachusetts:  Eduardo PEREZ, 30 Highland St., Taunton, MA;  Hernado CASTILLO, 50 Parker St., Rochdale, MA;  Bolival LAME, 404 Cohannet St., Taunton, MA; Miguel ORTEGA, 123 Middlefield St. 2nd floor, Worcester, MA; Jose TORRES, 15 Chandler Ave. No. 41, Taunton, MA; Carlos VELAZQUEZ, 190 West St., Holyoke, MA; Felix RODRIGUEZ, 56 Park Ave., Taunton, MA; Jannise SEDA, 31A Benifite St., Worcester, MA; Horatio DIAZ, 62 Washington St., Taunton, MA; Samuel RODRIGUEZ, 56 Park St., Boston; Jose SANTOS, 28 Deward Ave. , Taunton, MA; Jacob SANTOS, 44 N. Bridge St., Holyoke, MA; Juan MONTANEZ, 149 Brown Ave. No. 1, Holyoke, MA; Vicente GONZALEZ, 162 Claredan Ave., Chicopee, MA; Daniel MARTINEZ, 298 Race St., Holyoke, MA; Victor SANCHEZ, 3 Allen St., Worcester, MA; Victor RIVERA, 44N Bridge St., Holyoke, MA; Mixxino QUINONES, 25 Merrick St., Worcester, MA; Felix CAEZ, 7 Winthrop St., Worcester, MA; Ramon MARRERO, 15 Chandler Ave., Taunton, MA; Antonio ORTIZ, 45 Orchard St., Springfield, MA; Jaime HOMAR, 16 Belmon St., Lawrence, MA; Reinaldo VALENTIN, 115 Cabot St., Holyoke, MA; Francis FERNANDEZ, 134 Oakside, Methuen, MA; Francisco DeJESUS, 93 Austin St., Worcester, MA; Pablo MURILLO, 28 American St., Worcester, MA; Cesar MURILLO, 23 Fitch Road, Clinton, MA and Domingo GIL, 44 Polblack, Lawrence, MA.

From Rhode Island:  Jesus COLLAZO, 24 Pocassett Ave., Providence, RI; Luis VILLALOBOS, 163 Princeton Ave., Providence, RI.

From New York:  Ramon SERRATO, 1718 Palmento St., Brooklyn, NY and Ramon CADREJA, 1718 Palmento St., Brooklyn, NY.

From Puerto Rico:  Luis MUNOZ, K15 Rapartoe Spraca, Yago, Puerto Rico

and Jovanny GONZALEZ, address unknown.

Update 2/2/98:  Illegal cockfighting triggered the largest raid in town history as state and local police teamed up to arrest 113 people from four states.

"We found out about it Thursday from state police who were tipped by a concerned citizen," Deputy Police Chief Charles Hynes said.

Five dead fighting cocks were found at a house at 56 Sunnybrook Lane and 46 live ones were turned over to the Connecticut Humane Society. Police also seized four handguns, up to $50,000 in cash and small amounts of cocaine and heroin.

House owner Jorge Ortiz, 53, was arraigned in Superior Court in Middletown on charges of gambling, maintaining a gambling establishment, cruelty to animals, risk of injury to a minor and sale of liquor without a permit.

The other 112 people, who reside in New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, are scheduled for a Feb. 10 arraignment on gambling and cruelty to animal charges.

Hynes said a ring had been constructed in the basement of the home with plywood walls to keep the birds inside.

Joseph VASQUEZ, 16, resides at 56 Sunnybrook Lane and said he was in the basement when the raid occurred around 11 p.m.  "They told everybody to get down or they would shoot," Vasquez said as he stood on the patio of the home overlooking the back yard where several ramshackle pens housed about three dozen chickens and roosters.  Vasquez, who claimed to have no knowledge of the alleged cockfighting, said Ortiz is married to his mother.

Neighbors expressed surprise at the raid which involved 36 officers from the Clinton and Madison police departments, state police and animal control officers. However, residents said noise from roosters has been a continual problem since Ortiz moved in about three years ago.

"Everyday they wake me up and all day long they crow. I called Town Hall to complain, but they don't want to do anything about it," said a nearby neighbor speaking on condition of anonymity. "This the quietest day in three years."

Lorraine Blaha of 53 Sunnybrook Lane said police stopped her to check her identification when she arrived home shortly after the raid.  "This is the first time I noticed anything other than his rooster waking me up . . . You never know what your neighbor does . . . it's a shame," Blaha said.

While cockfighting is legal in a few Southern states, it became a felony in Connecticut in 1996, according to state Rep. Mary Mushinsky, D-85, of Wallingford.  "Before that the perpetrators would just pay the fine as a cost of doing business and keep on doing it. It was a revolving door," Mushinsky said.

Cockfighting is prohibited in 45 states and the District of Columbia and is a felony in 17.  Those arrested face maximum penalties of 5 years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

The raid is believed to be the largest cockfighting bust in a decade. In 1987, 140 people were arrested and approximately $55,000 was seized in Shelton.

While some consider cockfighting a sport, Arnold Baer, regional director for the New England office of the Humane Society of the United States, labels it "extremely cruel" as cockfighters breed for aggressiveness. "Cocks will naturally fight, but only until one establishes dominance and the other retreats . . . Cockfighters will throw birds who try to leave back into the pit and they attach razors and gaffs (cylindrically shaped blades) to their spurs. Fights can last a few seconds if an animal punctures a lung or vein, but they often take hours," Baer said.

Baer said the fact that youths reportedly were present at the alleged fight in Clinton is typical of most cockfights.  "Children are brought in to see it and think it's OK to use animals as disposable human entertainment," he said.

Update 2/3/98:   Police released most of the Connecticut residents - about half of those charged - on promises to appear in court, and out-of-state residents were released on $500 bail. Ortiz was released on $2,500 bail after police learned he has a heart condition and lowered the $50,000 bond on which he was being held.  There was a 12-year-old there with his father," he said.

A Massachusetts man, Edwardo Perez, 30, of Taunton, was the only person to be held for a court appearance in Middletown after he failed to post $1,000 bail on charges of cruelty to animals, gambling, and possession of cocaine.

It was the largest cock-fighting arrest in Connecticut since 140 people were apprehended in Vernon in 1987.

46 seized animals are in Connecticut Humane Society custody.  The Humane Society will hold the birds in protective custody pending instruction from the court and may apply for permanent custody, said Richard Johnstoncq, president of the Connecticut Humane Society.

In 1987, a Shelton cockfight netted 140 arrests and approximately $55,000 in cash seized.

Police said Madison Officer Richard Baez and state police assisted in translating for about 20 individuals who were not versed in English.

Those arrested range in age from 16 to 80.  The penalty carry a maximum penalty of $5,000 and 5 years in prison.  The gambling charge carries a masimum penalty of $1000 and 1 year in prison.

Update 2/11/98:  More than 100 defendants arrested at an illegal cockfight in Clinton flooded into Middletown Superior Court.  It took more than 5 hours to process the 112 defendants, Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Michael Dannehy said.

Court officials said they were stunned that every person arrested in the raid came to court in person or had a lawyer there to represent them.

A special courtroom was opened to handle the Clinton case, and additional sheriffs were assigned to direct people to their proper place. Presiding Judge Salvatore F. Arena opened court by 10 a.m. and was still processing the last of the cases at 3:30 p.m.

Most of the defendants were ordered to make a donation to the CT Humane Society as part of the court-imposed fines required to settle their cases.

Those who were caught betting on the fights were charged with professional gambling, a misdemeanor, and ordered to pay a $300 fine, Dannehy said.

Those who qualified for a special form of probation, reserved for first-time offenders, paid a $135 fee and made a $200 donation to the humane society, Dannehy said.

About 15 defendants faced felony charges of cruelty to animals for their roles as handlers of the birds, Dannehy said.

Those defendants either paid a $1,000 fine outright, or they paid a $135 fee for an accelerated rehabilitation application and made a $900 donation to the humane society, he said.

Middletown attorney William Grady related this story from court:  "One young client said he couldn't understand how sitting in a duck blind waiting to blow a bird away is a sport, while merely watching a cockfight was a felony".

Update 2/24/98:   Had a Superior Court judge not ordered the destruction of 42 roosters seized in a January cockfight , the birds would have posed a health threat to the state's poultry population, police said.

After blood tests by the University of Connecticut's Pathology Department revealed numerous infectious diseases among the birds, the court ordered their destruction earlier this month.  "They isolated multiple diseases from multiple birds," Deputy Chief Charles Hynes said. "They were all housed together and therefore all exposed."

The diseases, including S pullorum, a diarrheal disease of young poultry, caused by the bacterium salmonella pullorum, were transmissible to other birds, Hynes said.  "There were quite a few diseases involved in this," police Chief Joseph Faughnan said. "They were a threat to the poultry population in Connecticut."

While Hynes said the origin of the birds could not be determined, police believe many came from Puerto Rico, as indicated by shipping labels on their crates.

The birds were destroyed Feb. 14 by veterinarians at Kensington Bird and Animal Hospital, at a cost of $7 each, Hynes said.

Reference:

New Haven Register

The Hartford Courant