Nearly 300 Birds Located At Alleged Illegal Cockfighting Operation In Juniper Hills

JUNIPER HILLS (CBSLA.com) — Officials served a search warrant at a location in the San Gabriel Mountains where they found an alleged illegal cockfighting operation, Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputies announced Monday.

Community Oriented Services Bureau deputies served the warrant in the 34000 block of 90th Street East in the incorporated area of Juniper Hills around 11:30 a.m. Aug. 22.

Animal Control officers located 279 birds at the location — 239 were found to have their combs, waddles and rear feathers removed.

"This is only done to birds that are used for fighting," Sgt. Rich Peña said in a statement.

The remaining 40 were hens, which officials believe were used for breeding.

Deputies also seized a 20-gauge shotgun, shotgun ammunition, fighting gaffs (Razor blades), training gaffs and medicines used to treat fighting roosters, according to Peña.

The case is expected to be presented to the District Attorney for filing.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the L.A. County Sheriff's Department's COPS Bureau at (323)627-8137. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at (800)222-TIPS (8477).