Cockfighting Ring Busted on LI

Police arrest two alleged fight operators and 31 spectators

Roosters were clawing each other as police busted a cockfighting ring on Long Island this weekend, arresting 33 people and rescuing 35 birds.

Armed with a search warrant, authorities burst into a home on Half Mile Road in Central Islip as a crowd was egging on roosters fighting in the basement shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday.

Arrested were two alleged operators and 31 spectators.

Authorities saved 35 roosters, most stored in cages, and confiscated a fighting ring, scales, seats for spectators and equipment used to prepared the birds for battle.

Pablo Lopez, 34, and Rosa Medero, 37, who live at the Half Mile Road address, were arrested and charged with two felony counts of prohibition of animal fighting.  They were expected to be arraigned Sunday in First District Court in Central Islip.

Police issued violations and desk appearance tickets to the 31 spectators, who were then released.

The raid was part of an ongoing investigation by the Suffolk Police and the county's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
   

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