Police: Brothers busted in rooster-fighting ring focused on breeding, training

By Ricardo Torres-Cortez

Friday, Aug. 5, 2016 | 2 a.m.

Two roosters are carried to the middle of a ring, which is surrounded by cheering onlookers, some of whom have placed bets.

Feathers shoot into the air and at the end of the brief death dance, one bird lies motionless and the victor lives to fight another day.

On Wednesday, Metro Police arrested two brothers in connection with what investigators deem the largest animal-fighting ring in state history, Detective Robert Sigal said Thursday. Authorities boxed, caged and seized about 550 roosters and hens from their east valley home.

The men — Silvester Salgado Gayton, 46, and Javier Salgado, 44 — were each booked on one count of owning, training, promoting and selling an animal to fight, Metro records show. Additional charges may be forthcoming, Sigal said.

Animal fighting is illegal in Nevada.

Also according to Sigal:

About 9 a.m. an "astute" Metro officer informed the department's animal abuse unit about the birds in the 4700 block of Stanley Avenue, near Nellis Boulevard and Owens Avenue, while investigating an unrelated call.

The spacious site, which comprises two houses and a backyard outlined by chicken coops, is owned by the brothers. A search warrant was approved and authorities and volunteers spent at least 14 hours removing the birds.

Officials don't believe fights were occurring on the property, which they said was used as a breeding and training facility.

Roosters are naturally aggressive and thus kept separate when being bred.

However, trainers are known to pair and tie them in cages with just enough rope so they can't harm each other, but they are able to build aggression.

They're also trained with custom treadmills. In practice fights, trainers tape boxing gloves to their natural spurs so they can't cause damage, Sigal said.

Investigators found evidence that suggests training was occurring at the property, he said.

During the real fights, trainers tie knives to their spurs. The confrontations are bloody and usually last just a few moments. A loss signifies death for the roosters.

The birds were taken to the Animal Foundation where they were fed and sheltered and examined by a veterinarian.

"We hope that many of them will be able to get homes and be fostered," Sigal said.

Police had not determined how far the investigation, which on Thursday was in its beginning stages, would extend and how many more people might be involved.

About animal fighting in the Las Vegas Valley, Sigal said: "I'd like to tell you that it's rare, but from what we believe is that it occurs and it occurs regularly."

Local animal fighting is taken "very seriously" and Metro's animal abuse unit and the Clark County District Attorney's Office closely work together.

If caught, the act is prosecuted as a felony for participants and a gross misdemeanor for attendees.

Residents who suspect animal-fighting-related activities are taking place should report it to police.

"We want to be there to be the voice for these animals," Sigal said.