VIRGINIA BEACH — Two men were arrested Monday on numerous counts of animal fighting, all involving “poultry.”
Emmannuel Garcia, 52, of the 500 block of Dam Neck Road, is charged with 10 counts of animal fighting, and one count of conspiracy to commit felony. Both charges are felonies.
Garcia is being held in the Virginia Beach Jail without bond.
Rolando Salazar Geronimo, 75, of the 4000 block of Lumberjack Drive, is charged with 10 counts of animal fighting (class 1 misdemeanor), 2 counts of animal fighting (class 6 Felony), and conspiracy to commit felony.
Geronimo is free on bond.
Animal Control officers on Monday responded to the 500 block of Dam Neck Road as part of an animal cruelty investigation.
“A large number of poultry were removed from the property and released to Animal Control by the owner,” authorities wrote in a news release. “The animals are being cared for by staff at an offsite location at this time. The investigation led to criminal charges surrounding animal fighting.”
Animal Control officers are consulting with the Virginia State Veterinarians Office and the shelter veterinarian “for disposition recommendations,” according to the news release.
Further information about the case was not immediately released.
