Deputies charged with fighting, baiting animals

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Orange County sheriff’s deputies on Tuesday arrested a man on a warrant for 31 counts of fighting and baiting animals as related to cockfighting, and for possession of a firearm by convicted felon.

William Diaz, 63, was in possession of fighting paraphernalia, a fighting ring, boxing gloves, agitation tools, syringes and needles to administer vitamins and antibiotics, according to investigators.  Deputies said he has also been breeding, training, transporting, selling, owning and possessing roosters for the purpose of animal fighting or baiting.

All of Diaz’s 54 birds were seized by the Sheriff's Office.  Thirty-one were roosters used for fighting, the rest were used for breeding purposes.

In 2010, Diaz was arrested by deputies at the same location on the same charges.  Under a plea agreement, he pled guilty to one felony count.  

Diaz is in the Orange County jail on $34,000 bond.