On Sunday, February 8th, Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies broke up a cockfighting ring located at a packing shed on the 5000 block of W. Lincoln Ave. in rural Fresno.

At 9:30 am, a person called FSO dispatchers to report illegal activity was taking place on the property.  As deputies arrived on scene, a large crowd of people jumped into their vehicles and began to flee.  Some drivers tried leaving through the rear of the property, but discovered there was no exit point.  One driver of a truck then decided to ram a hole in the chain link fence, which created an opening for most everyone to drive through and leave.

Deputies searched the main building on the property and discovered a cockfighting ring.  There was evidence showing bets were being made and a fight had recently taken place.  Deputies also found a bag containing cockfighting spurs and some form of medication.  Approximately 100 live roosters were nearby, stored inside wooden and cardboard boxes.  Deputies called the Central California SPCA to remove the roosters from the property and provide care for them.

Deputies did interview a few people at the scene, but no arrests were made.

This remains an ongoing investigation.  Detectives are following up to develop more information on this case.  It is unknown how long this operation had been running.  Reports of cockfighting are relatively low in Fresno County.  Our office receives two or three complaints a year.

Detectives are asking anyone with information on this case to please contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111 or Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-STOP (7867).