SPCA: 2 arrested after tip about cockfight in Central Islip

A tip about a cockfight scheduled to take place at a home in Central Islip led to the arrests of two men, and the confiscation of 17 fighting birds and a pit bull on Thursday, authorities said.

Victor M. Bonilla, 66, and Jessie Brandon Maldonado, 23, were arrested on charges of animal cruelty, Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross said.

Acting on the tip, Gross said the SPCA, along with Suffolk police Third Squad and Crime Control Unit officers, Town of Islip fire marshals and Town of Islip Animal Control officers responded to 7 Monsen St., where both men live, seizing a cockfighting ring and fighting implements in addition to the birds and the dog.

In the statement released Friday, Gross said: "Cockfighting is a cruel, barbaric practice that leads to other crimes. This successful investigation will help disrupt the illegal bird fighting and quality of life issues in Suffolk and surrounding areas."

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”