The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, responding to the tip-off, revealed that this rural setting, typically known for its serene atmosphere, was concealing a brutal and organized rooster-fighting enterprise. The neighbor’s observant nature played a crucial role in unearthing the illegal acts masked by the quiet neighborhood facade.

Residents in the area, such as Joe D’Angelo, who has called this neighborhood home for half a century, described how the signs of these illicit gatherings were veiled yet telling. “They always held these events at night when most people were going to bed. The parties, the loud music—it was clear they were hosting cockfights there,” D’Angelo recounted, reflecting on the disturbances that had plagued the community.

Another local, Douglas Swagerty, expressed his dismay upon learning of the operations. “It’s not right. That much is clear. This kind of animal cruelty is detrimental to our neighborhood,” he lamented, emphasizing the community’s shock and disapproval of such acts.

The exposure of this rooster-fighting ring not only highlights the importance of community vigilance but also serves as a reminder of the underground networks that can insidiously infiltrate even the most unsuspecting areas. The arrests mark a significant step towards restoring peace and order in the neighborhood, while also delivering a stern warning to others engaging in such unlawful ventures.

“It’s not right. I know that much. I mean, this animal cruelty destroys our neighborhood,” he said.

When officers arrived Saturday, they found a cockfight in progress, with spectators holding cash and a referee controlling the ring. Several suspects tried to run away, hiding in rafters and under a camper, but 11 men were eventually apprehended. JSO said four of them were in the country illegally.

JSO detectives reportedly discovered dozens of metal spurs, dead roosters, and over $13,000 in cash on the property. The 130 roosters found could not be rehabilitated and were humanely euthanized due to the aggressive training they had undergone and concerns about the potential for avian flu.

Mark Baughman, a crime and safety expert with First Coast News, has decades of experience investigating animal fighting rings, including dog and rooster fights in the 1980s. He says that while cases like this still occur, they are far less common than in past decades.

“Well, what stands out to me is how inhumane it is,” Baughman said. “It’s almost like a boxing match. There’s a ring, people control the animals on both sides, and they let them fight. In cockfights, spurs are glued to the birds’ claws, sometimes dipped in hot wax, to cause maximum injury. They fight until one is unable to continue.”

Baughman explained that these operations are usually covert, advertised by word of mouth, and highly profitable due to gambling. 

“This type of activity is lucrative, and that’s why it continues. The rings are secretive, and organizers often move operations from place to place to avoid law enforcement,” he said.

He also highlighted cultural context, noting that in some countries, such as Cuba, cockfighting is legal and culturally accepted. 

“But in Jacksonville, it’s illegal, and law enforcement will enforce the law,” Baughman said.

Baughman encourages neighbors to be vigilant for signs of animal fighting: frequent visitors at odd hours, large numbers of certain animals like pit bulls or roosters, and unusual transport of animals in cages.

Baughman emphasized the potential consequences for organizers: heavy criminal penalties, potential deportation for those not legally in the country, and a lasting impact on anyone involved.