Cockfighting - 20 birds seized
Huron, CA (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Jan 25, 2009
County: Fresno

Disposition: Alleged

Abuser names unreleased

Fresno County Sheriff's Deputies broke up a large-scale chicken fight in progress just outside of Huron on Sunday morning.

Dozens of people fled from the scene and dozens of birds were found both dead and alive.

Deputies say they were part of a large chicken fight operation that was spotted by officials in the air.

"We had some assistance from an allied agency in a fixed wing aircraft... there were birds, cages, and what appeared to be a chicken fighting ring in an orchard just west of town," said Sgt. Mark Bray with the Fresno County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies sent Eagle One to fly over the scene.

"Once the helicopter flew into the area everyone scattered, there were birds being thrown out of trucks... a mad scramble," said Sgt. Bray.

Fresno County deputies, Huron Police, and CHP made several stops in the area, and one person has been arrested.

"It's problematic when you have the animal cruelty issues, the gambling issues.... other types of crime that permeate these types of events," said Sgt. Bray.

The SPCA took nearly 20 birds from the scene into custody.

The SPCA will take care of the birds until a decision is made on what to do with them.

Officials say many times the birds were bred to be violent and may end up being destroyed.

References

• « CA State Animal Cruelty Map

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