No arrests, but warrants are requested
MORGAN HILL
A San Jose man could end up in jail after a Santa Clara County sheriff’s deputy busted up a cockfight in which other suspects fled the scene in the hills west of the city.
The deputy found 16 fighting roosters about 10 a.m. Saturday when he was visiting a residence on Little Uvas Road near the intersection of Uvas Road on another matter.
The birds were found on the property, as well as two dead birds and a variety of equipment usually used for cockfighting.
The deputy was at the residence to check a possible county ordinance violation when he saw a large divided rooster pen. He also noticed several vehicles parked on the property, and as he walked up to one of the buildings, he saw a man standing by the door to the building. The man apparently warned others inside, because a large group of men ran from the building, jumping fences and disappearing in the wooded area nearby.
The deputy stopped the San Jose man who was released at the scene. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking a warrant for his arrest. The identity of the man was not available at press time.
Sgt. Don Morrisey said sheriff’s deputies look for instances of possible cockfighting or evidence of people raising birds for the purpose of fighting.
“Just like with other crimes, we take a proactive stance on this type of crime,” he said. “We have a deputy assigned to the South County who is an expert on cockfighting, he knows what to look for. We are always actively seeking this type of activity, due to the inhumane nature of the crime. It’s a crime against society.”
