Cockfighting - 35 birds seized, 30 more dead
Glen Avon, CA (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Mar 2, 2008
County: Riverside

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Jose Cortes
» Francisco Lopez
» Carlos Ramirez
» Dario Espinoza

Animal control officers found nearly 30 dead roosters and seized 35 live birds during a raid at a cockfighting event Sunday.

Deputies and members of the Inland Valley Task Force - a group of law enforcement, agriculture, code enforcement and other officials - were conducting an illegal fiesta sweep when they discovered the cockfighting event.

Authorities found 28 dead roosters in the trash just outside the fighting arena and another dead rooster on the ground near the ring. Deputies seized more than $2,100 and had to euthanize 35 fighting roosters found on the property.

Jose Cortes, 51, of Glen Avon, Francisco Lopez, 49, of Mira Loma, Carlos Ramirez, 35, of Glen Avon and Dario Espinoza, 24, of Los Angeles were were arrested.

Riverside County sheriff's deputies held them on suspicion of animal cruelty, conspiracy and participating in a cockfight. Ten spectators received citations.

References

• Inland Valley Daily Bulletin - March 3, 2008

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