Malnourished Chickens, Bird-Fighting Equipment Found During Warrant Service In Santa Cruz Co.

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — A man was arrested Friday in near Watsonville, after deputies discovered nearly two dozen malnourished chickens and roosters, in addition to evidence the man was putting on cockfights, sheriff's officials said. At 6:59 p.m. deputies went to the home of Ruben Lopez in the 100 block of Buena Vista Drive to do a probation search of Lopez.

During the search deputies allegedly found 22 malnourished chickens and roosters on Lopez's property, rooster-fighting knife blades and leather straps used to attach the blades to the rooster's legs, according to
sheriff's officials. Deputies also allegedly found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Lopez was booked into the county jail on suspicion of having bird fighting equipment, as well as possession of narcotics for sale and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter officials took custody of the 22 birds found on the property, sheriff's officials said. In April, Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter officials sought the public's help to find a person or persons involved in alleged animal fighting, after animal control authorities allegedly found a total of 77 dead
roosters dumped in two separate rural areas near Watsonville.

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone/ Patch