District Attorney Announces Fight Against Cockfighting

The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Officials announced Tuesday they will be stepping up efforts to combat the growing problem of cockfighting in the county.

Officials released a six-minute video, shot undercover by the Humane Society of the United States, in an effort to raise attention about the increasing problem and the negative effects that it has on communities.

The video spotlights the frontline efforts of Deputy District Attorney Deborah Ploghaus and Fontana Animal Control Officer Jamie Simmons to curb cockfighting, officials said.

Cockfighting is a criminal activity that pits two roosters, or cocks, fitted with steel blades on their legs, against each other. Calling it a blood sport, DA officials said the animals are forced to fight to the death.

“One other thing that we know is that it’s not just the crime of cockfighting, but you also have the infiltration of gangs, illegal drug activity, prostitution and serious crime that is associated with this enterprise,” San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos said through a written news release.

Ramos has partnered with the Humane Society of the United States and the National District Attorneys Association, which recently created the National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse.

There have been seven incidents of cockfighting documented in San Bernardino County since 2008, but those involved at least 3,217 birds, according to a February report by California Watch.

Los Angeles County had 14 incidents since 2008 involving almost 4,000 birds. Riverside County had 12 incidents in that time period involving a total of 804 birds, according to California Watch, an investigative journalism organization.

“Cockfighting is illegal in all states, but is only a felony in 39 states,” said Scott Burns, Executive Director of district attorney's association. “Even though only a misdemeanor in California, San Bernadino County District Attorney Michael Ramos and his staff are aggressively weeding this crime out of their community. The National District Attorneys Association and our National Center for Prosecution of Animal Abuse are proud to support their efforts in raising awareness on the seriousness of cockfighting.”

To motivate others to stamp out the sport, the Humane Society will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of cockfighters.

“One of the ways that a society should be judged is by how they treat their animals. I truly believe that,” Ramos said. “When you have a community that really cares about the abuse of animals, it means we are a good society. I want to not only ensure that we continue to hold these people responsible, but that we also teach our children the responsibilities associated with taking care of our animals.”