Cockfighting Investigation In Harford County Nets Arrest, 209 Fowl: Sheriff

STREET, MD — A Baltimore County man has been charged with animal cruelty in connection with cockfighting in Street, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.

Jose Luis Lopez-Villalba, 41, who has an address in the 6200 block of Windsor Mill Road near Woodlawn, faces four charges after he was found on a property that authorities said they had been investigating since May.

Lopez-Villalba was at the location in the 4300 block of Madonna Road in Street when members of the sheriff's office and Maryland State Police executed a search warrant on Sunday, Oct. 3.

They found 209 fowl as well as "multiple pieces of evidence indicative of a cockfighting operation," according to a statement from the sheriff's office, which reported the Humane Society of the United States assisted, including with veterinary checkups of the birds.

“It is hard to believe this type of animal cruelty could be occurring in our community, but it serves to illustrate that no place is immune from this type of activity," Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said in a statement. "While we are troubled by the abuse and mistreatment of these birds for entertainment, we are pleased to know that this operation has been halted and no further abuse will occur at this location."

Lopez-Villalba has been charged with the following, according to court records:

• Aggravated animal cruelty
• Animal cruelty: cockfighting
• Being a cockfight spectator
• Abuse and neglect of an animal

According to the sheriff's office, he also has an out-of-county detainer on him.

After a bail review Monday, a judge ordered Lopez-Gillalba held at the Harford County Detention Center without bail. Court records show he has a trial slated for Nov. 3.