Raid on Cockfight Nets 34 Suspects, 100 Fighting Birds

Acting on an anonymous tip, Los Angeles police arrested 34 men and impounded more than 100 birds early Saturday after a raid on the basement of a Wilshire-area home that had been converted into a cockfighting arena.

Officers discovered 17 dead roosters and seized $5,200 in gambling receipts at the Cordova Street residence, which they believe was used weekly for cockfighting contests.

“They had a large, well-lit fighting pit with a 3-foot wall around it,” said Officer Douglas Tanaka. “The dead birds were stacked right by the entrance at the bottom of the stairs . . . (next to) a five-gallon bucket of blood.”

Booked on felony suspicion of cruelty to animals was Jose Gutierrez, 25, who lived at the house and allegedly organized the fights. The other suspects, all charged with misdemeanors, came from various communities throughout the county, including Long Beach, South Gate and El Monte, Tanaka said. Six of those arrested were juveniles ranging in age from 9 to 14 years.