21 Arrested at Cockfight in Lancaster
A sheriff’s deputy interrupted a cockfight in Lancaster just as it was beginning Sunday morning, arresting 21 men and confiscating 93 fighting roosters, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Acting on a tip from a woman who reported seeing a van filled with men and hearing roosters crowing inside, the deputy broke up the event, which had been staged for bettors, just before 9 a.m.
More than 60 men were gathered around a homemade cockfighting arena near the intersection of 185th Street East and Avenue H-6 when the deputy, whose name was not released, arrived, said Sgt. Darrel Brown.
None of the animals were injured. Several dozen of the men fled.
None of the suspects admitted to owning any of the roosters, officials said.
It is a misdemeanor to attend a cockfight.
The 21 suspects were expected to be charged with animal cruelty, Brown said.
Deputies took the roosters to the Lancaster animal shelter and confiscated about $800.
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