Hundreds of chickens seized from suspected cockfighting ring in Yucaipa

YUCAIPA, Calif. — Sheriff's deputies have seized more than 600 chickens that authorities believe were being trained for cockfighting.

Authorities say deputies seized about 400 roosters and 200 hens Tuesday morning at the residence in Yucaipa in San Bernardino County. The property owners were not there at the time.

Investigators believe the birds were going to be sold in Mexico to compete in cockfights. Humane Society of the United States law enforcement specialist Eric Sakach says the operation had been written about in a cockfighting magazine.

Deputies and animal control officers were acting on a tip from the Humane Society. Sheriff Rod Hoops says his Rural Crimes Task Force "will not allow this blood sport to flourish."

-- Associated Press

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Photo: A cockfight in progress in Vietnam. Credit: Luong Thai Luong / European Pressphoto Agency

Comments

[PNUT]

We kill and eat millions of chickens a day in the U.S. and cockfighting is somehow wrong ? Please, they fight anyway, it's their nature. At least they're well cared for unlike the millions that we eat every day. Cockfighting is nothing like dog fighting, totally different deal. Game Cocks naturally hate each other, dogs don't.

[Linda]

PNUT: Cockfighting is not the slightest bit natural. Sure, in the wild two males would fight to ensure mating rights...but they wouldn't have spurs on their feet, and it would most likely end only in defeat for the loser, not a bloody and gruesome death. There is no analogy to the killing and eating of chickens in the poultry industry, which -- contrary to PETA -- is typically a humane operation that aims to avoid gratuitous infliction of pain. People who are entertained by cockfighting, or any other bloodsport, ought to be medicated and isolated from civilized society.