Perla Hernandez, a 33-year-old Memphis woman, is facing more than 50 counts of animal cruelty after authorities uncovered a cockfighting operation behind her Nutbush home on Wednesday.
The discovery came during a search warrant executed by Homeland Security at her residence on the 1200 block of Weiner Road. According to the affidavit of complaint, investigators found dozens of roosters in the backyard. Some of the birds were tethered, while others were kept in cages. Memphis Animal Control officers reported finding a dead rooster in one of the cages, along with skeletal remains of two other birds in the rear of the property.
The officer noted several signs of mistreatment: the beaks of two roosters had been filed down, three had their crowns removed, and four had weights attached to their legs—a common practice in cockfighting. Additionally, vitamins, steroids, and antibiotics typically used in these illegal fights were discovered on the property.
In total, Memphis Animal Services is now caring for 45 roosters that were rescued from the scene. Hernandez, the only adult at the property, was arrested and charged with two counts of cockfighting and animal cruelty.
Hernandez was released on a $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. Authorities have not disclosed the reasons why Homeland Security was involved in the investigation.
