Cockfighting - 150 birds seized
Homeland, CA (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Apr 9, 2006
County: Riverside
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Elida Rivera
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
150 roosters are dead tonight and several people in jail in a shocking case of animal cruelty. The sheriff's department says it made a major cock fighting bust near Hemet.
On April 9, sheriff's deputies and members of animal control went to Homeland, near Hemet, and found a large cock fighting business.
It was filled with food carts, arenas, portable cages and lighting.
150 roosters were found and animal control put all of them down. We're told as many as 150 people took off running when the deputies arrived.
Some people were taken into custody by the US Border Patrol on suspicion of being in the country illegally.
Case UpdatesA tentative May 22 court date is set for a Homeland woman arrested after deputies acting on a tip broke up what they called an illegal cockfighting operation on a ranch west of Hemet.
Elida Rivera, 37, was released from custody a few hours after her arrest Sunday on suspicion of fighting bird-related offenses, which are misdemeanors.
She posted a $2,500 bond, authorities said.
About 120 fighting roosters were euthanized after law enforcement officers broke up a cock fight about 12:30 p.m. A sheriff's sergeant described the operation as "an extensive cockfighting enterprise, complete with mobile food carts, arenas, portable cages and lighting."
The roosters were suffering from extensive wounds, authorities said, and about 20 dead birds had been piled in barrels. Deputies said they found fighting blades and other paraphernalia consistent with cockfighting contests.
About 150 people, who fled the area as the deputies arrived, hid on a surrounding hillside, sheriff's Sgt. David Kurylowicz said.
A few were eventually detained and the U.S. Border Patrol was called to verify the subjects' immigration status. Some were held on suspicion of being in the country illegally, authorities said.
Sheriff's Sgt. Earl Quinata said today no more arrests are anticipated.
"I guess we got the main player. I think that's why we made only one arrest," he said.
The sheriff's Hemet Station said the investigation is continuing, however, and asked anyone with pertinent information to call (951) 791-3400 and ask for deputies Guss or Osterloh. | Source: CBS News - April 11, 2006
Update posted on Apr 11, 2006 - 5:52PM |
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