Cockfighting - 300 birds
Fallbrook, CA (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Nov 23, 2008
County: San Diego
Disposition: Alleged
Abuser names unreleased
Authorities discovered a cockfighting arena, hundreds of chickens and almost as many spectators hidden in an avocado grove Sunday morning, authorities said.
Someone called shortly before 10 a.m. to report that they could hear roosters crowing and people cheering, sheriff's Lt. Anthony Ray said.
Deputies found a large cockfighting arena with alcohol and food vendors among the trees at 38751 De Luz Road, sheriff's Sgt. Mark Foster said. As they approached, 80 to 100 people ran away, he said. Deputies detained about 25 people and dozens of vehicles, and U.S. Border Patrol and the County Department of Animal Services were called to assist.
Animal Services Lt. Dan DeSousa said that about 300 rosters were found on the property, about 40 that people brought in containers and the rest living there. Officers found one dead and one injured chicken and cockfighting paraphernalia, including knives and slashers that attach to a chicken's feet, DeSousa said.
The lieutenant said that animal control officers were expected to be at the crime scene late into the night because they were awaiting a search warrant Sunday evening.
Officers planned to search the property and cars for additional evidence, DeSousa said. Bred and raised to fight, most of the roosters would be humanely euthanized, he said.
Attending a cockfight, possessing a bird with the intent to cockfight and possession of cockfighting implements are all misdemeanors, DeSousa said. If some at the scene could be tied to the dead or injured birds, they could face felony animal cruelty charges, he said.
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