A tip about a suspected cockfighting ring led to the arrest of a Turlock man and put a halt to an event that possibly could have involved 150 roosters, the Merced County Sheriff’s Department reported.
Detective Brandon Thomas with the department’s agricultural Sheriff’s Tactical and Reconnaissance team is being credited with busting up the ring, sheriff spokesman Deputy Tom MacKenzie said. Thomas received information that a rooster fight was going to happen Saturday night in the 22000 block of River Road in Stevinson.
Thomas scoped out the area and stopped a truck heading towards the residence. The truck was carrying four roosters that were seized by the Merced County Animal Control. The driver of the truck, Luis Flores, 47, was arrested and charged with possession of roosters for the purpose of fighting. He was cited and released, MacKenzie said.
Thomas continued on to the fight location, accompanied by Animal Control and the Humane Society. At the location they found 10 other fighting roosters and several dead birds.
All of the birds were confiscated by Animal Control.
The owner of the property was cited by Animal Control for inhumane treatment of animals.
The tip about the fight indicated up to 150 roosters could be involved and that the fight could draw as many as 250 attendees, MacKenzie said.
To contact Sabra Stafford, e-mail sstafford@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2002.