KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
More than 7,000 birds were reportedly recovered from an illegal cockfighting ring in Val Verde, according to new information provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department after a Monday raid on a large ranch east of Santa Clarita.
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Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said they found “One of California’s largest cache of fowl used in illegal cockfighting.”
The department later corrected this statement because a bust of this size had never been made before, according to preliminary information. The birds and other items seized as part of the investigation have an estimated value ranging from $350,000 to $10.5 million.
Over 100 law enforcement personnel, led by officials from the department’s community partnerships bureau, in conjunction with spcaLA, the Humane Society of the United States, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office, converged on the rural 80 acre Val Verde ranch on May 15.
Several dead birds were also found on the property with injuries consistent with those suffered in cockfighting. Officials also found “slasher” weapons, which were strapped to a rooster’s claws during fights, at the location.
Both roosters and hens were found on the property, but none will be made available for adoption.
Due to the aggression of fighting birds, officials with the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control said, they must all be put down.
“There is no sanctuary for fighting birds,” said Don Barre, a spokeswoman for the organization. “This is because they are very aggressive and cannot be housed with any other chickens. Even the hens would attack other hens. These are not pets.”
Get live news updates about Santa Clarita by following KHTS on Facebook and KHTS on TwitterSeveral dogs were also recovered from the location, and are being cared for by medical staff at Los Angeles County animal care centers. The county’s protocol for all incoming dogs is to vaccinate, deworm and evaluate them for health issues.
It is unknown if any of the dogs will be put up for adoption.
Ten people were detained at the property, although no arrests have been made as of Tuesday afternoon. The owner of the property, who investigators believe is a prime suspect in the case, was not identified by investigators.
It is unknown whether the owner was arrested as well.
Investigators also seized firearms and narcotics from the location.
Officials said this was not the first time this property has been a home for cockfighting. The same property was raided in 2007, and investigators seized over 2,000 birds in that incident.
Detectives said their investigation was ongoing and more arrests were anticipated in the future.
“Any kind of animal blood sport activity will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County,” said Captain Jeff Perry, who led the operation. “If anyone has information about any type of animal blood sport activity, I urge you to call your local law enforcement agency.”
If you suspect cockfighting or other animal blood fighting sports are being held in your community, contact the Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station at 661-255-1121 or call the Humane Society of the United States at 1-877-847-4787.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or drop us a line at [email protected].
Unless there has been a recent major earthquake I’m unaware of, Val Verde continues to occupy land WEST of Santa Clarita.
Denny’s right. It is West of Santa Clarita!
Hmmmm. You know, I’m torn. I’m a little surprised, but also not surprised at all! Val Verde is a small town surrounded by mountains between the 126 and Halsey Cyn./Castaic. It’s off the beaten path and generally you don’t drive through there unless you’re going there! I’m sure some folks don’t even know anything’s back there! Rural and run-down, it’s not much of a destination, IMO! You get a feeling you could get away with lots of stuff there, hide bodies, and such! The ghetto it is there doesn’t seem like a safe place you’d wanna walk around at night for sure! Could be cool, though, if it was clean and affluent, but it’s NOT, so that being said, I’m not surprised to hear that illegal activities are going on there.
Randy, you are so rude like Susie say get your facts correct. Crime is anywhere and everywhere. You must a be a criminal yourself for even saying that you can get away with anything like hiding bodies. What normal person say that, only a person who has or wants to do criminal stuff . It’s really sad that these poor animals where used for illegal use and now they don’t have a chance to be adopted or given to a someone that loves and treats animals with respect.
Randy, its people like you that give Val Verde a bad name when you haven’t a clue. I have lived here 23 years and during that time I have walked these streets at all hours and NOT ONCE have I ever felt I wasn’t safe. I love living in this quiet rural community with its wild life, you couldn’t pay me to live in the city. As far as the area this took place in it is gated & locked and tucked away in a canyon, not even accessible to just anyone.
Randy – Val Verde is a historical town…..https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Val_Verde,_California
How rude of you to call Val Verde a ghetto and to claim that it “Could be cool, though, if it was clean and affluent, but it’s NOT” just shows what kind of person you are.
Two things! 1> “Any kind of animal blood sport activity will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County”. Well well….that didn’t work so well in this case. Hard to believe no matter how remote that an operation this size just happened overnight. This had to be going on for a long time. I suspect dating way back to the previous instance on the same property. 2> Has anyone looked in to donating the birds for food, like maybe for the homeless…or anyone. Last time I checked Birds are made out of meat and that is what we eat.
It seems that many of the birds were injected with steroids.
This is a sad development. However, we love and appreciate so many of our neighbors and friends here in Val Verde. While living in Valencia three instances of crime occurred in our neighborhood, one being a murder. Depravity is everywhere.
I live in Castaic and on Hasley Canyon, which is how
People can access Val Verde. So odd though because I didn’t hear anything. But there are some desolate areas
Back there. Thankfully animal control arrested them
Mary, there were no arrests made. How is that possible? Not even the owner of the property who has not been named was charged with any crime that I can find.
Val Verde is very affluent. Obviously Randy hasn’t a clue! Probably for the best, because we don’t need ignorant people like that in our little town. The location in which they have raided is tucked back in one of the finger canyons.
Has anyone heard of any arrests in this case? How about the name of the property owner? Michael Vic had his name blasted all over the media, no protection there, but that was probably a “leak” from law enforcement. Strange how cockfighting in 2017 was a federal crime punished as a felony. Any federal agents involved in this case? Thank you.
i OWN A HOME IN VAR VERDE. VERY FASCINATING PLACE. GUESS WHO ELSE ALSO LIVES HERE. OLIVIA HUSSEY FROM Franco Zeffirelli 1968 ROMEO AND JUILET. i HAVE RUN TO ARTISTS, WRITERS, DIRECTORS HERE. I BOUGHT MY HOME FROM AN MOVIE DIRECTOR. THIS IS A VERY SPECIAL PLACE FOR ME PERIOD. MOREOVER I HAVE AN AMAZING HOME HERE. I LOVE IT. THE VALLEYS AND THE CANYONS, THE SERENITY THE HISTORY.