By Darryl Tardy
First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- Animal task forces from around the state Friday raided alleged fighting rings in South Florida. Investigators hauled away more than one thousand birds at this bust. They believe the animals may have fought at times here on the First Coast.

At least four people have been arrested so far. More raids are expected throughout the night and overnight in the city of Fellsmere, in Indian River County.

One woman, who didn't want to be identified, had this to say about the bust. "Let me say something to the animal welfare advocates out there. This is b---. We let men fight in the ring. And we can't let birds fight. Who cares?"

Others do. Seventy officers who make up a joint task force of investigators from the state of Florida and across the country took part in the raids. The group included two animal control investigators from Jacksonville including Chief Investigator Howard Gunter. He told First Coast News, "This raid is a culmination of about two years of undercover work by the Indian River Sheriff's office and the Vero Beach Humane Society's cruelty investigator."

Moving down rural dirt roads, SWAT teams executed search warrants on four farms. Investigators say the birds had clear markings that they were raised for fighting, not game. According to Gunter, "The waddles and the cones from their heads, the spurs either removed or sharpened to a fine needle point and they use a strap on type when they're being fought."

Authorities say "Operation Birddog" is just one effort to stop a never-ending illegal problem.

Gunter says, "Cockfighting and dog fighting are serious problems in the state of Florida. And I'm just so happy to see that this animal fighting law came into effect in July. So many jurisdictions are cracking down and trying to do a good job of bringing it to a head. Hopefully we can have the same kind of results in the northern part of the state."

Last June, Florida lawmakers passed a bill making it illegal to possess, breed, train, or sell game fowl. It's commonly known as the Animal Fighting Bill.