Property Owner Surrenders 48 Roosters Used In Alleged Cockfighting Ring In Perris

PERRIS (CBSLA.com)  — A property owner surrendered nearly 50 roosters Sunday that were involved in an alleged cockfighting ring in Perris.

Animal control officers were contacted by the Riverside County Sheriff's Department for assistance. A deputy was on scene in the 21700 block of Club Drive Perris, just west of Highway 74 and northeast of the city of Lake Elsinore, when the call came out.

The deputy told animal control officers that everyone -- except the property owner -- fled the scene when he had arrived at about 8:30 a.m.

The property owner claimed he was holding a "show."

The man allegedly told the officer that they were putting on a show where "they put little plastic things on the bird's legs and watch them box."

The officer informed the property owner that it is illegal to possess a gamecock for fighting. The man surrendered 48 cockfighting roosters to Riverside County for humane euthanasia.

The man was cited for misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Officers said the property contained a bird-fighting ring, constructed of aluminum side paneling, a scale to weigh the birds and numerous bird boxes containing live birds inside locked vehicles.