Can the Authorities Attend The Fight Too?
SOLEDAD—Authorities from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, along with SPCA with Special help from the California Highway Patrol, arrested 42 people who attended a cockfighting event in south Monterey County on Saturday evening.
Deputies with the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office received word of a cockfighting event that was scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 10. The Sheriff’s office notified the SPCA, who was familiar with the property as they had prior contacts with the owner.
On the day of the event, The California Highway Patrol lent their assistance by providing overhead surveillance. They were able to determine that there was indeed an event happening on Metz Road in Soledad.
After receiving word that the event was taking place, authorities from all three agencies moved in on the location. As they arrived, a large group attempted to flee from the scene. Thanks from the assistance of the CHP helicopter, deputies, along with CHP officers on the ground were able to apprehend many of the suspects. A total of 42 suspects were detained, identified and released at the scene.
The owner of the property was not so lucky, 59-year-old Gonzalo Manriquez of Soledad was cited for penal code 597(b) – permitting cockfighting on premises under their control.
The Monterey County SPCA provided welfare checks upon the roosters and determined that 45 had to be euthanized due to their injuries from the event. All suspect information was forwarded to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office for possible prosecution.
