A search warrant served at a location in Lancaster led to the seizure of more than 1,000 game fowl that were being bred and raised to take part in cockfighting, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department announced Wednesday.
The seizure was made on Monday in the 6300 block of East Avenue E, according to Deputy Tracy Koerner of the Sheriff's Information Bureau.
"Personnel from the L.A. County Department of Animal Care and Control, with the assistance of members of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles, responded to the location in order to examine, care for and take possession of the animals," Koerner said.
The birds are made to fight to the death and those that suffer injuries are allowed to go untreated and are sometimes simply thrown in the trash, Koerner said.
"Having animals fight to death along with letting them go untreated is not only cruel but often times goes hand-in-hand with gambling, drug-dealing and other illegal activities," according to Koerner, who said several people were detained, but no arrests were made.
The investigation is ongoing, Koerner said, and anyone with information was urged to contact the sheriff's Community Partnerships Bureau at (323) 981-5300. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS.
