Santa Rosa, California — Authorities seized 833 roosters and arrested a 30-year-old man in what investigators described as a large suspected cockfighting operation in Sonoma County.
According to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, Saul Villalobos-Delacruz was arrested Wednesday at a farm in the 3000 block of Stony Point Road. He faces suspicion of animal abuse and other charges related to alleged bird fighting activities.
Sheriff’s officials said members of the Rural Crimes Task Force, along with detectives from property crimes, violent crimes and crime scene investigations units, served a search warrant at the property. Officers from Sonoma County Animal Services and county code enforcement also assisted in the operation.
Investigators reported finding 833 roosters on the property, along with what they described as evidence consistent with cockfighting. Items seized included slashers, timers, identification bands, betting slips, small denomination currency, veterinary medications and conditioning supplements.
Animal control personnel took custody of the birds, though authorities did not immediately disclose where the animals would be housed. Villalobos-Delacruz was booked into the Sonoma County jail and later released on supervision pending trial.
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