Illegal Animal-Fighting Rings Suspected In Santa Cruz Co.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A $5,000 reward is being offered for information about suspected illegal animal-fighting rings in Santa Cruz County. Animal control officers said they recently discovered about 30 dead and mutilated roosters over the past few months near Rancho and Shell roads in Watsonville.

Officials suspect the birds, each of which had cut combs and wattles and gauze wrapped around their feet, were used for illegal fighting. Officials said the gauze is often used to secure boots equipped with razor blades to the feet of the birds. In 2016, officials found 31 dead roosters suffering from the same injuries in the same area.

“In addition, two young, wounded pit bulls who exhibited behavior common in ‘bait dogs’ were found in the Interlaken neighborhood,” county officials said in a statement.

Officials have not identified suspects or made arrests in these cases.

"Cockfighting and dog fighting are barbaric rituals that involve egregious animal cruelty and torture," the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter's field services manager Todd Stosuy said. "The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter will work with the District Attorney's Office to prosecute those involved in cockfighting or dog fighting to the fullest extent of the law."

PETA, the Ethical Treatment of Animals, has offered a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspects responsible for these animal cruelty crimes.

"Not only is forcing dogs and roosters to fight to the death cruel, it's also illegal in all 50 states," says PETA Senior Director of Cruelty Casework Stephanie Bell. "PETA is urging anyone with information about these injured dogs or mutilated, dead, and decaying birds to come forward immediately so that whoever is responsible can be held accountable."

Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Santa Cruz Animal Rescue & Control at 831-454-7200.

Photo via Shutterstock