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San Bernardino cockfighting ring broken up, 100 roosters seized
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Screenshot from San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office anti-cockfighting video.
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San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office
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San Bernardino County authorities arrested dozens of people over the weekend in connection with a cockfighting operation, seizing nearly 100 roosters and thousands of dollars in cash.
County sheriff’s deputies descended on the semi-rural compound near Victorville after someone phoned in a tip that the private residence was being used for cockfighting.
Over 300 people were inside the barn when deputies entered and broke up a cockfight in progress. Most of the spectators scattered, including the property owner and alleged event organizer, Fernando Hernandez.
Forty-seven people were arrested, including some suspects from as far away as Sylmar, Lancaster and Oxnard.
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Dead roosters dotted the arena, and about 92 live birds were seized, plus more than $21,000 in cash that was allegedly being used for gambling on the fights. The suspects face a range of felony charges, including animal cruelty.
The San Bernardino County district attorney's office says it’s prosecuted more than three dozen cockfighting cases over the past year.
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