Police break up cockfights

Tip brought Gardena police to an Artesia Boulevard site where they found about 100 spectators and more than 100 caged fowl.

By Larry AltmanStaff Writer (Daily Breeze)

Officers found dead roosters, injured birds and gambling sheets showing about $40,000 in business when they uncovered a cockfighting operation in Gardena, police said Monday.
About 100 people watching the fights scattered when officers showed up Sunday morning in an arena behind businesses in the 1400 block of Artesia Boulevard. About 30 people were detained, but the fight promoters disappeared, Gardena police Lt. Ed Burnett said.

"It was like a scene out of a movie with all the people running out," Burnett said.

Birds were fighting in a ring at the time but ran with the spectators. Equipped with razors attached to their legs, the roosters continued fighting beneath a car until they ran off.

"They got away pretty much during the stampede of people," Burnett said.

On Sunday and Monday, police and animal control officers removed the more than 100 roosters and hens from cages, taking them to several shelters.

Although most were healthy, some birds showed signs of scratches and other injuries, Burnett said.

An anonymous 911 caller tipped Gardena police to the operation at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Officers went to check the site behind a U-Haul and automotive business and could hear roosters crowing as they approached, Burnett said.

A few men standing at the entry to several poorly constructed wooden shacks spotted the officers and alerted the people inside, Burnett said.

Fights were under way at one shack that served as an arena. Although most people escaped, the 30 detained spectators were identified, interviewed and released.

In addition to finding cages full of chickens, officers found three dead roosters in buckets, razors and other apparatus used for fighting.

Officers also found a bottle of Ascorbol, an injectable drug used as a steroid to prepare roosters for fighting. The bottle had a rooster on the label, Burnett said.

Tally sheets left behind by the organizers showed about $40,000 in wagers. The operators also were selling refreshments and souvenir sweat shirts and caps inscribed with the word "cockfight."

"It's not real sophisticated; just a lot of money has exchanged hands," Burnett said.

Detectives are working to identify the operators and determine who owns, leases and subleases the property. The site was located far enough from the street and residences that no one could see or hear the activity, Burnett said.

The people who were detained could face criminal charges, but spectating at a cockfight is a lower-grade crime than organizing one, Burnett said.


USER COMMENTS

"Uhh, umm"
This is a perfect example of low moral standard. The reality of these type of event's. It bring's drug dealer's, gang members, other low life's. There is no regulation to such event's. Then there is alot of money in cash around. So all can figure what might transpire. It is not that i believe that a living being should be in that much pain. I do indeed. The people who put on such event's should. Let someone from jail get on steroid's and go attack them with knive's. It is event's like this that are bringing the dollar down to the peso standard.- Disgusted
posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 14:41 PM

Dont blame everything on the brownie
posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 14:17 PM
"If they were superstar athletes the local DA would hang them like a pignata!"
Poor Micheal Vick is going to get 5yrs for dog fighting?!! In earlier news an 83yr old Texas oilman, Wyatt, got 1 year for stealing $11M in an oil for food scam involving crooked Iraqis. Why is justice so uneven?- MakeMyDay

posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 14:01 PM
""Response to Nationality""

There is only one culture that raises chickens in urban America.
posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 13:57 PM

"Where is PETA when you need them..."
Stalking rich women in furs....

posted: Tuesday, November 27th at 13:50 PM