Officers make another cockfighting bust, this time in Sylmar

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Police arrested a man today for allegedly running a cockfighting operation in Sylmar, authorities said.

Genareo Vasquez, 52, was arrested in the 15000 block of Lakeside Street by officers from the Los Angeles Animal Cruelty Task Force after they received a tip, said Lt. Gil Moreno of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services.

‘The officers’ preliminary investigation revealed numerous fighting roosters’ housed at the location, Moreno said.

Officers seized and destroyed 42 roosters, 90 hens and 15 chicks, Moreno said.

It’s the second cockfighting bust this month.

On July 1, a man from South Los Angeles was charged with running a cockfighting ring after Los Angeles police received a tip about a cockfight in progress in the 1300 block of East 108th Street, according to a police report.

Israel Ramirez, 52, was arrested on a warrant charging him with felony cockfighting, animal cruelty, possession of cockfighting paraphernalia and possession of birds with the intent to fight, officials said.

Officers apprehended Ramirez and 10 spectators.

Cockfighting cases are handled by the City of Los Angeles animal cruelty task force. Reports of animal bloodsport and cruelty can be reported to the task force at (213) 847-1417.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta