Man accused of running cockfights
A South Los Angeles man has been charged with running a cockfighting ring, the district attorney’s office announced Wednesday.
Israel Ramirez, 52, was arrested Tuesday night on a warrant charging him with felony cockfighting, animal cruelty, possession of cockfighting paraphernalia and possession of birds with the intent to fight, officials said.
Los Angeles police received a tip last month about an alleged cockfight in progress in the 1300 block of East 108th Street, according to a police report.
Officers apprehended Ramirez and 10 of about 30 spectators who fled the scene.
They also found a betting spreadsheet and a blood-spattered pit believed to have been used for fights.
About 50 roosters were seized by the Los Angeles Animal Cruelty Task Force. Ramirez allegedly told police that he held monthly fights and charged spectators a $20 entrance fee, according to a police report.
If convicted of the new charges, Ramirez could face up to five years in state prison.
-- Joanna Lin
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