Report of shots fired leads to discovery of fighting roosters

About 150 fighting roosters were euthanized Tuesday after being discovered near Desert Hot Springs, according to the Riverside Department of Animal Services.

The birds were discovered off Virgo Road after police received a report of shots being fired in the area.

When they arrived at the property, police discovered the animals and called the Riverside Department of Animal Services.

A man who said he was the owner of the roosters, which he described as fighting birds, signed them over to animal control officers who then euthanized them. Animal services does not adopt out such animals, since they would probably be used for illegal fighting.

The suspected owner could not prove he was a U.S. citizen and is in the process of being deported, authorities said.

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