Nearly 300 roosters are found at suspected cockfighting operation

Reporting from PAUMA VALLEY, Calif. —  Nearly 100 roosters were seized and 183 euthanized after the discovery of a suspected cockfighting operation.

The property owner, whose name was not released, received misdemeanor citations for possessing 85 cockfighting knives that were attached to roosters’ feet. He also was cited for possessing 126 gamecocks, which he relinquished to San Diego County Animal Services, officials said. More than 150 other roosters that recently had been taken to the site were found in boxes and crates.

Many of the birds were euthanized by animal control officers.

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“It’s unfortunate, because these birds are bred and trained for only one thing and that is to fight and kill another rooster,” said Animal Services Deputy Director Dan DeSousa. “They are not what we consider to be adoptable animals.... We gave them a humane death versus being cut to ribbons in a fight for the almighty dollar bill.”

Although all the charges were misdemeanors, DeSousa said the department might refer a felony animal cruelty case to the district attorney for the death of two birds found in a vehicle at the site.

jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com

Jones writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

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