Charges filed after more than 70 roosters found dead

KSP investigators and the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office learned about the cock fighting ring on Clay-Kiser Road near Paris Sunday. KSP said a deputy originally responded to the property for a report of a disturbance, but the deputy saw multiple dead roosters while at the scene. 

KSP was requested, and a search warrant was approved for the property. KSP found 79 dead or injured roosters during the search.

KSP charged six people with second-degree animal cruelty in connection to the cock fighting ring. They are: Abel Aguirer, 33 Gil Aguirer, 38 Maeja Hepibetomeia, 43 Marco Espinoza, 30, of Portsmouth, Ohio Fabian Lopez, 30, of Portsmouth, Ohio Cierra Cooper, 28, of Portsmouth, Ohio Each of the six suspects has been charged with 79 counts of animal cruelty, according to court records. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable up to 12 months in prison.

A veterinarian determined the severely injured roosters were beyond recovery and were humanely euthanized, according to court documents.

KSP is continuing to investigate the case.