Monterey County sheriff’s deputies issued citations to seven suspects at a cockfight in unincorporated Monterey County on Sunday morning after finding more than more than 100 live roosters and several dead ones at a home, a sheriff’s spokesman said.
Deputies arrived at 17C Maher Road in Royal Oaks at about 10:30 a.m. and discovered 150 live roosters and 16 dead ones, sheriff’s Sgt. Ron Willis said.
An estimated 15 to 20 suspects fled the scene upon the deputies’ arrival, Willis said. Five suspects were located and cited for being spectators at a cockfight and resisting arrest before being released, according to the sheriff’s office.
The homeowner, Francisco Tapia, 41, and his wife, Trinidad Tapia, were also cited for cruelty to animals and resisting, delaying or obstructing a police officer in performance of duties, Willis said.
The SPCA for Monterey County took custody of 38 roosters, five of which were injured too badly to survive and had to be euthanized, Willis said.
Rachel Purdy, Bay City News
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