On Sunday, March 29th, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies discovered a cockfighting operation located northwest of Caruthers, near the intersection of S. Jameson Ave. and W. Floral Ave.
Around 9:00 am, a person called FSO dispatchers to report rooster fighting was taking place inside an almond orchard. Patrol deputies responded, but could not see anything from the roadway. The Sheriff’s Office helicopter, Eagle One, was called in to get an overhead view and the deputies aboard observed a crowd of people. Once people noticed the helicopter, they began to flee the area. About 50 vehicles drove away in all directions. Once patrol deputies learned of the precise location, they proceeded to drive into the orchard to investigate. Deputies found a wooden, rectangle shaped fighting ring, along with approximately two dozen dead roosters. A majority of the birds were lying in a pit that had been dug in the dirt.
Deputies collected evidence including: a weight scale, aluminum tags for identifying the birds, cardboard boxes used as cages and betting receipts.
No arrests were made. This remains an ongoing investigation.
Typically, our office receives 5 to 10 complaints of cockfighting each year. This is the fourth such report we have received in the last two months. On February 8th, deputies broke up a cockfighting ring located at a packing shed on the 5000 block of W. Lincoln Ave. in rural Fresno. On March 1st, rooster fighting was taking place at Selma Valley Golf Course (12389 E. Rose Ave.) On March 15th, another case was documented near Easton at the intersection of Adams Ave. and Orange Ave. It has not been determined if any of these cases are related.
Coincidentally, all four of these cases occurred on Sundays. Early spring tends to be a popular time for rooster fighting to occur because temperatures are somewhat cooler. Cockfighting rarely takes place in the summer because organizers find that the extreme heat does not allow the birds to perform well.
The Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public that rooster fighting is illegal in California. These events commonly serve as gambling sites where thousands of dollars change hands. Some people in attendance carry guns and knives, making it a dangerous atmosphere for people in and around the area. Spectators can be arrested on a misdemeanor charge and face possible fines. Organizers can face felony charges tied to animal cruelty and gambling, which may carry punishments of fines and jail time.
Detectives are asking anyone with information these cases to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).
