This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Intruders beat over 900 chickens to death with a golf club at a Foster Farms facility in Caruthers this month—and authorities asked the public on Tuesday for help in catching these suspects.
The Fresno County Sheriff's Dept. responded to a call on Sept. 20 around 8:30 a.m. about the disturbing slaughtering that occurred at 3691 W Swanson Ave., the Sheriff's Office said in a press release. They found that the intruders pulled back part of a fence and went into the chicken shed. There, the suspects killed 920 chickens with a golf club and possibly a similar object.
Deputy Chris Curtice told the L.A. Times that they found a piece of a golf club at the scene.
Curtice said, “...whoever did something like this is pretty sick. It would take a long time to do it…. People should be alarmed at something like that."
Foster Farms released this statement about the incident: "The perpetrator committed an unconscionable act of animal cruelty. This appears to be a random act of violence."
The value of the birds is estimated at $5,000. Foster Farms is offering a reward of $5,000 for information about the incident that could lead to the arrest of these suspects.
Anyone with information is urged to call Ag Task Force detectives at 559-600-8150 or the Sheriff’s Office at 559-600-3111.
Update 10/2, 10:45 a.m.: Deputies arrested four people—one adult and three teens—suspected of breaking into the Foster Farms facility and slaughtering chickens, according to the AP. Fresno County Sheriff's Dept. were able to track down the suspects from tips they received, and arrested 18-year-old Gabriel Quintero and three other males ranging from 15 to 17 years old. They were all charged with burglary and animal cruelty.
