6 charged in chicken-fighting scheme

PARIS (KT) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) at the Dry Ridge Post have charged six people with cruelty to animal, following an investigation into alleged chicken-fighting in Bourbon County earlier this month.

The KSP says on Sunday they were called to assist with a call for service on Clay-Kiser Road near Paris. Upon arrival, and with the assistance of the Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office, Troopers discovered evidence of alleged chicken-fighting activity, and an investigation was initiated.

The initial call for a disturbance at the residence led to a Bourbon County deputy sheriff responding to the scene. Throughout the course of his response, the deputy observed numerous dead roosters behind the residence and requested assistance from KSP. Troopers and detectives responded to the scene and, after securing a search warrant, they confirmed more than 70 dead roosters at the location, along with others that were severely injured. The investigation indicates that the animal’s deaths and injuries were a direct result of chicken-fighting activities.

As a result of the investigation, six individuals were charged with Cruelty to Animals- 2nd Degree. They are: Abel Aguirer, 33, Marco Espinoza, 30, Fabian Lopez, 30, Cierra Cooper, 28, Gil Aguirer, 38, and Maeja Hepibetomeia, 43.

This investigation remains ongoing.

This is the latest in the series of raids by the KSP across the state, as they remain active cracking down on chicken-fighting. Some of their actions include:

--Charging 14 people during a May 2024 raid at a home in Casey County’s Bethelridge community.

--Seven people were charged following a several years-long investigation of chicken fights in Blackberry and Whitesburg.

--A January raid at a chicken-fighting event at Dunnville in Casey County led to 54 people facing animal cruelty charges.

--One person charged in Nelson County in February.

Cruelty to Animals in the second degree is punishable by up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $500, if convicted.