JURUPA VALLEY – Sheriff’s deputies broke up a large gamecock fighting ring in Riverside County, arresting the woman responsible for the operation.
On Saturday night, deputies assigned to the Jurupa Valley Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a large gamecock fighting event. The deputies arrived at 9:45 to a residence in the 52000 block of El Rivino and discovered a large number of people amassed at the location. As soon as officers arrived, the crowd began to disperse.
According to Sergeant Ray Ricken, deputies detained 50 individuals at the scene, which was discovered to be an active gamecock fighting and betting event. One of the detainees was an individual who lived at the location. On further investigation deputies discovered 40 roosters at the location. Animal control was called to take possession of the animals.
Jaquelyn Acosta, 40, was arrested for animal cruelty, operating an illegal gamecock fight, possession of gaffs and gamecocks for fighting. Acosta was booked at the Robert Presley Detention Center.
Cockfighting convictions receive a lesser sentence than dog fighting. However, according to bill SB 1145 which passed in 2012, it is unlawful for anyone to manufacture, buy, sell, barter, exchange, or have in his or her possession any of the implements commonly known as gaffs or slashers, or any other sharp implement designed to be attached in place of the natural spur of a gamecock or other fighting bird. Individuals convicted of possessing gamecocks receive a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for a period not to exceed one year, by a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by both that imprisonment and fine.
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Press Enterprise: Woman arrested after deputies break up cockfight
