Hundreds of Roosters Seized in Bay Area Animal Cruelty Investigation

Hundreds of roosters were seized as part of a suspected illegal cockfighting ring in a rural Bay Area enclave that’s known as a hotbed of bird fighting.

Video posted by the Sonoma County Sheriff shows a massive and squalid facility in rural Santa Rosa where Saul Villalobos-Delacruz, a 30-year-old resident, allegedly ran a massive illegal cockfighting operation complete with “slashers, timers, betting slips and conditioning supplements.”

833 roosters were seized, according to authorities.

Roosters in individual wire cages with large muddy puddles on the ground outside the cages.
Authorities uncovered more than 800 roosters and evidence of a cockfighting operation.
Evidence of a cockfighting operation, including money, weapons, and razor blades, on a wooden table.
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office shared this photo of money, weapons, and razor blades, on a wooden table.