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Cockfighting operation raided in Lancaster

by M. Dilworth • April 11, 2013

The operation was conducted by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau and the County’s Department of Animal Care and Control. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)
The operation was conducted by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau and the County’s Department of Animal Care and Control. (Photo by LUIS MEZA)

LANCASTER – Approximately 100 “fighting trim” roosters were seized Wednesday when authorities raided an alleged cockfighting operation at a farm in Lancaster.

The bust happened around 10 a.m. Wednesday at a farm in the 47100 Block of Division Street, and it was conducted by deputies from the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau and the County’s Department of Animal Care and Control, according to deputy Robert Ferrell of the COPS Bureau.

“This place was the subject of a search warrant in the past for narcotics. This is a known criminal location,” Ferrell said.

About 100 fighting roosters were in individual pens, officials said. (Courtesy LASD)
About 100 fighting roosters were in individual pens, officials said. (Courtesy LASD)

The COPS Bureau received a call that cockfighting at the location, and after a month-long investigation they were able to obtain a search warrant, Ferrell said.

The two-acre property housed horses, pigs, goats, and other typical farm animals, but hidden from public view were approximately 200 birds and a fighting area, Ferrell said.

“Most appear to be in fighting condition or fighting trim…” Ferrell said. “This appears to be both a fighting and a breeding operation.”

Deputies also found difference pieces of evidence, including literature and writings, to support that the farm may be a front for an illegal cockfighting operation, Ferrell said.

Cockfighting operation 2Two caretakers at the location were detained and then released, Ferrell said.

“They did not appear to be involved in the operation,” Ferrell said, adding that deputies were working to determine who was responsible for the operation.

“If that person can be identified, then we’ll definitely make an arrest,” he said.

Wednesday afternoon, the team was waiting on a court order to remove the birds from the scene. Animal control officers would also be taking care of the other farm animals at the location, Ferrell said.

“The other animals appear to be cared for, they seem to be housed in an appropriate manner, but animal control will make sure that they’re properly cared for,” Ferrell added.

To report cockfighting, call Los Angeles County’s dogfighting/cockfighting tip-line at 1-877-NO2FITE. Tipsters with information leading to the arrest or conviction of someone involved in animal fighting are eligible for a $5,000 reward.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

6 comments for "Cockfighting operation raided in Lancaster"

  1. sammy P says

    April 11, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    This is one of those issues I just don’t care about – I think it should be legal. Look at the size of the cages they get – those are HUGE compared to what the chickens we eat get to have. Have eggs for breakfast this morning? The chickens that laid those eggs are living a life 100 times worse than what these fighting birds are living. But its ok because we eat them.

    Another example of too much government in our lives. Come up with something you want to do to make a living, and government will find a reason to say you can’t do it.

    If it was dogs or cats then I could understand that. But Roosters?

    Whats next? Outlaw Pigeon fighting? Rat fighting? Cockroach fighting? If I was making money off any of those, they would come up with a reason to stop me.

    • NRA Member says

      April 11, 2013 at 10:45 pm

      It appears that liberal Californians dont like your ideas, but they got nothing to say, because everyone of them eats chicken and eggs )

      • Les says

        April 12, 2013 at 10:15 am

        I don’t like his ideas and I’m absolutely NOT a liberal. I also do NOT support factory farming. I’m vegetarian so I don’t eat chickens, or anything else with a face, regardless of how they are raised. I buy from locally sourced organic farms when I buy eggs and the meat eater in my household eats grass fed beef from these same farms.
        Cruelty to any living being is unacceptable.

        • NRA Member says

          April 12, 2013 at 11:31 am

          You are an exceptional vegetarian, but most people are not, they talk a lot about animal cruelty and how they love animals, while grinding on juicy steak

        • Mick says

          April 12, 2013 at 12:19 pm

          I can’t give this enough thumbs up!! ALL animals feel pain and fear. And yes, I’m vegan, which is darn near impossible to be here with the VERY limited and VERY expensive vegan options.

  2. dumbandblind says

    April 11, 2013 at 10:33 am

    Never a dull moment in the AV. Great job COPS!

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