Deputies bust rooster-fighting operation west of Modesto
A group of men began Super Bowl Sunday with a bloody binge of rooster fighting, which was broken up when Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies arrived, authorities said.
At 10:15 a.m., deputies initially responded to a report of dog fighting at a residence in the 1500 block of Grimes Avenue, just west of Modesto. But they discovered a rooster-fighting operation in the backyard, Sgt. Anthony Bejaran said. The residence is on Grimes, about 1.5 miles south of Highway 132.
Deputies found about 50 dead roosters, 300 live ones, an enclosed pen for fighting and metal fighting spurs.
Bejaran said several men ran when deputies arrived. About 20 men were detained at the residence, and deputies arrested 37-year-old Efrain Marcucci, the owner of the home.
Marcucci is facing animal cruelty charges.
Animal control officers were dispatched to take custody of the roosters. Authorities did not say if there may be additional arrests.
“We had several people let us know that rooster fighting had been going on there for a while,” Bejaran said. “There may be more information for us to look at.”
People can leave anonymous tips by calling Crime Stoppers at 209-521-4636, sending an email at www.modestogov.com/mpd/CrimeStoppers or texting to 274637 and typing “Tip704” plus the message. Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.
This story was originally published February 7, 2016 at 4:23 PM with the headline "Deputies bust rooster-fighting operation west of Modesto."