"Cockfighters have flocked to California because the state has the weakest penalties in the West when it comes to staged animal fighting. We'll see more of these massive complexes like the one in Sonoma County until the state gets serious about cracking down on this malicious cruelty."
"Investigators found 833 roosters and uncovered what the sheriff's office described as evidence consistent with bird fighting, including slashers, timers, veterinary medications and conditioning supplements, identification bands, betting slips, and cash in small denominations."
"Local law enforcement agencies from San Diego and Los Angeles counties to San Joaquin and Sonoma counties have stepped up enforcement efforts, but tougher penalties are needed to disable a vast network of illegal operators that stretches all the way across California."
Authorities seized 833 roosters from a Sonoma County property during a warrant search, uncovering evidence of illegal cockfighting including slashers, timers, veterinary medications, conditioning supplements, identification bands, betting slips, and cash. A 30-year-old Santa Rosa resident was arrested on animal cruelty and bird fighting charges and released on pre-trial supervision. Animal Wellness Action praised the bust but criticized California's comparatively weak penalties for cockfighting, which are typically charged as misdemeanors. The organization estimates 8 million fighting birds exist in California and argues stronger state penalties are necessary to dismantle the illegal cockfighting network operating across the state.
Read at SFGATE
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