Deputies Raid Cockfighting Operation

Santa Barbara County - March 11th, 2009

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department has broken up a “significant” cockfight breeding operation in north Santa Barbara County.

On Tuesday morning, March 9, 2009 Deputies along with personnel from seven other agencies conducted a raid on a rural property in which more than 800 chickens were seized. Of those, 496 were roosters for fighting or breeding, 254 were hens and 51 were chicks.

The multi-year investigation uncovered the operation that bred top line roosters which, via the internet, were sold and shipped to locations around the United States. “In some cases, these roosters had been bred over 15-generations, selling for as much as $350 each,” said SBSO Rural Crimes Deputy John McCarthy.

Tuesday’s raid also led to the seizure of cockfighting videos, magazines, trophies and various short knives that are strapped to the rooster’s leg during battle. “Cockfighting is a despicable and indefensible criminal activity that involves extreme brutality caused by sharp implements that are attached to the bird’s legs during a fight, said Eric Sakach of the The Humane Society of the United States who took part in the raid. “These razor sharp knives or ice pick like gaffs cause terrible injuries such as massive gaping wounds, destroyed organs and broken bones. The fights result in the exhaustion and death of one or both birds. It is done for no other purpose then entertainment and gambling.”

So far, no charges have been filed against any individual, but the ongoing investigation may lead to arrests and prosecution of those involved. At this time there is no evidence that any cockfights were conducted on the North Santa Barbara County property.

Nearly fifty personnel took part in the raid. The Sheriff’s Department would like to acknowledge and thank the following agencies for their help: San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Dept., Sacramento County Sheriff’s Dept., Santa Barbara County Animal Services, Ventura County Animal Regulation, Ventura County Humane Society, and the Humane Society of the United States.

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