By Elizabeth Ferszt
Contributing Writer
A new incident of illegal cockfighting was recently uncovered in South Haven. According to the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office, defendant Jesse Gamino (age 57) pleaded guilty to one count of animal fighting on April 21, 2026 in 36th Circuit Court, Paw Paw.
Gamino agreed to forfeit all animals, weapons, and related equipment allegedly “used to hurt birds” in exchange for the plea deal, according to the Prosecutor. In addition to his pending sentence, Gamino must pay restitution to Hidden Acres Safe Haven, an animal rescue outfit in Dowagiac that took in forty (40) abused roosters allegedly used for cockfighting at Gamino’s house.
The original charges included five felonies: three counts of MCL 75049-A: Animals— Fighting; two counts of MCL 75049-C: Animals— Fighting/Equipment. Four of the charges were dismissed, as Gamino pled to only one count of MCL 75049-A. Currently, Gamino is out on a PR bond, but faces a sentencing hearing on May 26 at 11am in front of Hon. Kathleen Brickley, a judge in the 36th circuit.
According to Jodie Wiederkehr, campaigns director at SHARK (Showing Animals Respect and Kindness), an animal rights group based in the Chicago area, Gamino owns the property raided on Dec. 20, 2025 by police, after they received a credible tip from SHARK that an illegal cockfight was underway.
“Gamino’s excuse was that a large group of people showed up at his place with birds and then fled when police arrived,” Wiederkehr said.
While SHARK is bold and innovative in using almost any means to detect and uncover animal abuse, especially cockfighting, this time its drones were not used. “SHARK’s drones were not flown in South Haven (on Dec. 20), as it was quite a windy night,” Wiederkehr said in an email.
When asked how they were able to provide the information to police, Wiederkehr said SHARK received an anonymous tip which they in turn sent to local law enforcement. “We were very pleased with the quick response from Police,” she said.
SHARK executive director Steve Hindi stated in a phone call on April 24 that while they cannot reveal their sources, they receive many credible tips from the public who may notice “a lot of cars all of the sudden showing up” to a particular property or hear noises associated with animal fights.
Wiederkehr, who was also on that call, said, “We hope he [Gamino] gets the harshest sentence possible.” Wiederkehr and Hindi both believe that cockfighting is connected to a larger criminal enterprise, that may include human trafficaking, domestic or intimate partner violence, child abuse, drugs, gangs, gambling, prostitution, and other unsavory activities. “Animal fighting is illegal in all 50 states,” Wiederkehr said. This includes both chickens (birds) and dogs.
Wiederkehr and Hindi strongly assert that “there is a link between animal cruelty and violence against humans,” including women and children. Wiederkehr mentioned that serial killers often start off with abusing and killing animals. She believes that animal abuse is not taken seriously enough.
“Unfortunately, oftentimes,” Wiedekehr said, “they only get a slap on the wrist and probation,” alluding to the fact that Gamino is out on personal recognizance bond with no dollar amount as collateral, and four of his five charges were dropped.
“He should have not been allowed to plea and should have been made to give up the names of the others who were there,” Wiederkehr said. Apparently, the other alleged cockfighters all fled during the raid, much like what happened in the October 2025 cockfighting incident in Hopkins Twp. In Allegan county leaving 36 birds dead and only one person arrested and charged.
SHARK is listed as a 501(c)(3) charitable corporation that is domiciled in Geneva, Illinois. On their webpage they state that they were founded about 18 years ago by active hunter and gun owner, Steve Hindi, who “witnessed a horrific example of live pigeon shooting” that changed his perspective on killing animals, in particular, birds. Hindi was elected to the Animal Rights Hall of Fame in 2006. To report a tip, call “Report Cockfighting!” at 630-385-0244.
