Roosters rescued, suspect caught by K9 when Patterson cockfight is busted
Thirteen roosters were rescued when Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a cockfight in Patterson on Sunday. A suspect who ran away was caught by K9 Hino and booked on charges including animal cruelty.
Deputies and animal control officers found on the 1100 block of Condit Avenue a large fighting arena that included 14 rooster cages. Sheriff’s Department spokesman Sgt. Luke Schwartz said two roosters were dead and 16 were living; three of those were badly injured and had to be euthanized.
A man later identified as Ralph Cantu was “providing security” at the cockfight, the Sheriff’s Department said in a Facebook post. He was uncooperative with deputies and ran, dropping a sharp-edged weapon as he did.
K9 Hino was sent after Cantu and quickly apprehended him. He was booked into jail on suspicion of animal cruelty, conspiracy and obstructing a peace officer.
An estimated 50 to 60 people were at the cockfight and fled in about 20 vehicles as deputies got on scene.
Deputies were able to stop several vehicles, Schwartz said, and four people were cited for animal cruelty and trespassing, and then released.
Annette Patton, executive director of Stanislaus Animal Services, said her agency might have to hold onto the roosters as evidence should the case go through the court process. There also are a couple of bird rescue organizations that Animal Services works with. “I hope we don’t have to hang onto them. The sooner we can get them to a rescue group, the better.”
This story was originally published July 28, 2020 at 8:55 AM.
