129 birds removed from cockfighting ring
Arroyo Grande, CA (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Jan 31, 2010
County: San Luis Obispo
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Raymond Pinon Guitierrez
San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's deputies say they received a tip about a cockfighting ring in unincorporated Arroyo Grande, that would happen around 10:00 a.m. on January 31, 2010.
When officers arrived at 2109 Heidi Place, they say around 300 people began to run away, jumping over fences and running into nearby eucalyptus groves.
Officers believe Raymond Pinon Gutierrez organized the event. He and the others arrested are being booked into county jail on animal cruelty charges.
Officers are still trying to roundup suspects, and so far 50 people have been arrested.
Officers say thousands of dollars in cash was seized, along with at least 50 birds.
Raymond Pinon Gutierrez, 52, of Nipomo was booked into County Jail Sunday on suspicion of animal cruelty, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Department.
The event was described as a four-bird derby, which means that participants would each enter four roosters into the competition, according to an updated report by the Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities said they banded more than 100 birds at the cockfight sight, with 50 fighting cocks seized.
Department spokesman Rob Bryn said that deputies and officers from other agencies found 300 people at a cockfight off of Heidi Place, between Zenon Road and Aloma Way -- about a half-mile south of Los Berros Road.
Working off a tip the department received Saturday night, deputies from the department’s South County station, its Rural Crime Unit, police dogs from Guadalupe, State Parks rangers, Arroyo Grande police and CHP officers and a helicopter arrived shortly after the scheduled 10 a.m. cockfight began, Bryn said.
Everyone fled the fight, some tossing away money they had in their pockets, but 50 were caught and arrested, Bryn said. Those arrested face a variety of charges, including cruelty to animals, Bryn said. References« CA State Animal Cruelty Map
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