Police: Long Island Man Was Training 45 Roosters For Cockfighting
UPDATED ON 5/21/2015 AT 6:41 PM
BRENTWOOD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police arrested a Long Island man on drug charges Wednesday, and claimed that he was also training roosters in his home for cockfights.
Reynaldo Bonilla, 37, was arrested on a search warrant on Fourth Street in Brentwood around 6 a.m. Wednesday, Suffolk County police said.
A search of Bonilla's home turned up cocaine and marijuana, as well as 45 roosters that showed evidence of being trained for fighting, police said.
Police: Long Island Man Was Training 45 Roosters For Cockfighting
Bonilla was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance and use of drug paraphernalia, unlawful use of marijuana, and training an animal to fight, police said. The last charge is a felony under New York State Agricultural and Markets Law.
The roosters were taken from the property by Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals officers. Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross said the birds had to be euthanized.
Gross told WCBS 880's Sophia Hall what Bonilla allegedly did to the birds was barbaric.
"When they use these birds for fighting, the surgically remove the wattles and the combs," Gross said. "The wattles is the skin that hangs down under the neck. The combs are that skin on the top. They surgically remove them without anesthesia. The pain -- from what I asked the veterinarian -- is like cutting your finger off without anesthesia."
Bonilla was set to appear for an arraignment Thursday in Suffolk County First District Court in Central Islip.
Anyone with information on the incident was asked to call the Suffolk County police Third Squad at 631-854-8352.
