Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating an illegal cockfighting ring operating in the Llano area of L.A. County, east of Palmdale.
During a search on January 27, approximately 70 cockfighitng roosters were seized.
The warrant was served as "part of an investigation related to animal cruelty and possession of game fowl for fighting purposes violations," according to a sheriff's statement.
The animals were inspected by Animal Care and Control officers.
"We applaud the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for (the) seizure of 70 gamecocks and for their work to end the horrific practice of cockfighting that continues to plague the state of California," Marty Irby, speaking on behalf of the Animal Wellness Foundation and Animal Wellness Action told City News Service.
The Humane Society describes cockfighting as “a centuries-old blood sport in which two or more specially bred birds, known as gamecocks, are placed in an enclosed pit to fight, for the primary purposes of gambling and entertainment. A typical cockfight can last anywhere from several minutes to more than half an hour and usually results in the death of one or both birds.”
Common injuries to birds forced to fight include punctured lungs, broken bones, and pierced eyes. Additionally, razor-sharp steel blades or "gaffs" are often tied to the birds' legs, potentially kiling the other birds or in some instances the owners
"Cockfighting is not only inhumane, and unconscionable, but is also a breeding ground for the next major pandemic such as COVID-19. We call on the U.S. Department of Justice, and state and local officials to take swift and harsh action against those who seek to perpetuate this barbaric blood sport."
Anyone with information about the Llano case was urged to contact Sgt. Robert Hill at rchill@lasd.org, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.