Dozens of roosters have been euthanized after a large cockfighting ring in the Jurupa Valley was dismantled Friday night, Riverside County officials said.
Riverside County sheriff’s deputies and animal services officers found 143 birds and more than 200 people when they arrived at the 5900 block of Troth Street, animal services spokesman John Welsh said in a statement. E-mail.
Most of those present dispersed when deputies arrived, although one man claimed ownership of all the birds and handed them over to officers, who “humanely euthanized” them with the help of deputies, a process that lasted until about 6 a.m. Saturday. said Welsh.
“Birds must be euthanized because Animal Services cannot adopt such birds as they are valuable and they would almost always end up in a cockfighting ring. They are not suitable as pets,” the email added.
The man who owned the birds was charged with a misdemeanor for possession of combat blades, authorities said.
The investigation is ongoing and Animal Services “may seek animal cruelty charges to be filed with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office,” the email added.
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