Edin Dilson Rodas, 37, of Hopkins Township, has been arraigned on felony charges of running a cockfighting operation at his home.
Rodas was charged with three counts of animals fighting, one charge of animals fighting/equipment and third degree killing and torturing animals.
Allegan County deputies said they received a video from an animal advocacy group SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness) showing a suspected cockfighting event July 26 at Rodas’ residence.
A search warrant provided more evidence at the alleged scene of the incidents.
Steve Hindi, president of SHARK, told broadcast news outlets he was tipped off about a cockfight planned for just outside of Hopkins, so he and his team videotaped activities on site.
Cockfighting in general carries a felony of up to four years in prison in Michigan. Hindi alleged some employees of the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office knew about the troubled home, but did not act on the allegations, insisting there wasn’t much they could do about it.
Cockfighting, illegal in the United States, occurs when people set roosters, often with knife-like objects tied to their legs, to fight to the death.
A neighbor said cockfights and other incidents of animal neglect at his neighbor’s home have been going on for years.
Allegan County Undersheriff Michael Larsen promised that a criminal and internal investigation would take place.
