Man Arrested for Animal Fighting in Weld County
A Lakewood man was arrested over the weekend on 47 counts of Animal Fighting in Weld County. Rafael Gonzalez, 59, was taken into custody on Saturday by Weld County Sheriff's office for the 47 felony counts, 4 class 5 felony counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and class 1 misdemeanor Cruelty to Animals.
Weld County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of animal cruelty/cockfighting located at the 49000 block of Weld County Road 96. While investigating, law enforcement found evidence that is consistent with cockfighting. Deputies found 47 live roosters and one of them was injured. All of the roosters were seized and taken to CSU's Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The suspect remains at the Weld County North Jail Complex with no bond.
A statement was released via Facebook from Weld County Sheriff's Office stating that rooster fighting is illegal in the state of Colorado. Cockfighting events could be a possible dangerous atmosphere for people in and around the area because these types of activity serve as gambling sites that some people bring guns and knives to. All while possibly consuming alcohol and illegal drugs.