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Cockfighting Ring Busted In Travis County

Four men have been arrested in connection with a cockfighting ring in southeast Travis County.

The Travis County Sheriff’s Office seized 19 roosters trained to kill, a saw, first aid kits and dozens of gaffs, which are razor sharp spurs placed on roosters feet to fight.

According to the affidavit, a neighbor living near the 4800 block of East Hwy 71 called authorities as the brutal sport was underway.

"About seven people gathered on Saturday to fight their roosters. And we were able to catch four of them," said Roger Wade, a spokesperson for the Travis County Sheriff's Office.

Raonel Jaimes-Aviles, Jesus Alberto Leyva-Puente, Jorge Luis Negrete-Munoz, and Juan Espinoza have been charged with cruelty to livestock, a state jail felony. All four denied any involvement.

Wade says this is the first ring busted in years. He tells us these underground societies rarely get caught.

"In March of last year we found a bunch of dead roosters and suspect they may have been used in cockfighting," Wade said.

He explains raising chickens and roosters has become popular, and the sheriff's office does not have the means to investigate.

"We know of folks who raise roosters, but if you ask them they just do it because they like it. They will never admit to it because cockfighting is illegal," Wade said.

Right now animal Control has custody of the roosters. It will be up to a judge to decide what happens to the animals.

By Christie Post