Cockfighting training facility uncovered

On March 23, Parker County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officers responded to a residence in north central Parker County for an animal welfare check. What they discovered was an elaborate cockfighting training facility where roosters were not only being groomed, conditioned, and trained for cockfighting, but tortured and mutilated as well. 

Parker County Sheriff Russ Authier said that after a thorough investigation by animal control officers, deputies, and investigators, arrest warrants were issued for Ernesto Rocha Ramirez for the offenses of Cockfighting and Cruelty to Livestock (poultry), both of which are felonies. 

Upon arrival animal control officers observed several deceased and partially burnt chicken carcasses located in a burn barrel on the property. Also observed were several wounded chickens that displayed injuries indicative of cockfighting. Deputies and investigators were called to the scene for further investigation, which led to the execution of an animal seizure warrant. 

It was during this time that PCSO Investigators recovered injured birds that had been “live-plucked,” having feathers ripped from the bird’s breast and legs, and feathers shaved from the bird’s backs. The practice of live plucking is done to condition a rooster as it’s being trained for cockfighting. Investigators noted that on several of the birds the natural spurs on the backsides of their legs had been cut excessively short. This practice is done on fighting roosters so that steel fighting gaffs, spurs, and blades can be better fitted to the bird’s legs, making the rooster’s spurring action more lethal in a fight and giving the rooster a killing advantage. 

There were more than two hundred chicken coops, many of which contained dead birds. Investigators recovered several birds that were being kept in single bird transport containers. In the immediate area where birds were kept, investigators located numerous bottles of injectable anabolic steroids and anabiotics along with wing tags. 

Investigators located a structure on the property that housed a large oval-shaped room that contained rooster decoys and other instruments used to train fighting roosters. During the initial phase of this investigation, 28 roosters and 14 hens were seized and transported to a local veterinarian, who determined the birds had endured cruel and unnecessary treatment at the hands of their owner and caretaker. 

The veterinarian stated there is no medical reason for these birds to have been live plucked or to have their spurs cut so short. The vet further explained how these acts would cause unnecessary and unjustified pain to the animals and is consistent with the definition of torture. 

On March 31, Ernesto Rocha Ramirez was arrested without incident. It was determined Ramirez was in the United States illegally and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) placed a detainer/hold on Ramirez pending a deportation hearing. Ramirez is currently being held in the Parker County Jail without bond. 

On April 2, PCSO Investigators returned to Ramirez’s residence and seized an additional 359 birds with the assistance of Fort Worth-based emergency animal response group AIR (Animal Investigations and Response). The birds were taken to the Weatherford Animal Shelter where they will receive proper care and medical treatment while awaiting disposition. 

“Whether it swims, flies, walks, or crawls we take animal cruelty cases very seriously here in Parker County,” said Sheriff Russ Authier. “ If there are any folks out there that don’t believe that they can FAFO. We have a place for them to stay too.”