Arrests Made at Cockfight

Second incident at same location in less than two months
Morgan Hill – Six men were arrested at a barn in unincorporated western Morgan Hill by Santa Clara County Sheriff’s deputies for watching a cockfight, police said.

Salvador Garcia, 62, Francisco Chavez, 20, Robert Cuevas, 33, Geraldo Mota, 52, Martin Medina, 38, and Moctezuma Plancarte, 32, were cited for watching a cockfight and released Sunday morning.

Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Deputy Serg Palanov said Monday that the complete report on the incident was not yet available. 

On May 14, deputies responded to a call at 11:25am about a possible cockfight west of Morgan Hill and east of the Uvas reservoir. As they arrived at Armsby Lane and Sycamore Avenue, the deputies saw six men gathered around pens that are commonly used to house fighting roosters.

Two dead roosters were found; the birds were apparently involved in the fight. Animal control responded to take the dead birds away. 

On April 8, deputies responded to a call reporting an estimated 10 men at a cockfight in the same location. One dead bird, some injured birds, blood and feathers were found at the scene, but the men fled before deputies arrived on the scene. No arrests were made.

During typical fights, those watching bet on the outcome. The roosters are usually placed in a makeshift arena, beak to beak, and then released. They then attack, using beaks, claws and sharp spurs attached to their legs. Many times the fight continues until one of the roosters dies; sometimes the fight is stopped when one or both are badly injured, but the birds may die later from their injuries. 

Palanov said the main purposes of the cockfights are gambling and entertainment. Drugs are sometimes a part of the cockfight.

Cockfighting is a misdemeanor in California and has been against the law since 1905.