Authorities arrested 56 people and seized 3,500 birds, as well as firearms and drug paraphernalia, during a multi-week cockfighting investigation in San Bernardino County, officials said.
The operation, dubbed “Crowing Rooster,” ran from June 14 to Aug. 1 and entailed 26 search warrants served at locations throughout the county, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
Those arrested range in age from 16 to 73 years old, authorities said. Many live in San Bernardino County, but some are residents of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Camarillo.
Of the 56 people arrested, 10 have been charged with a felony. The others have been charged with misdeameanor crimes that include animal cruelty, according to the Sheriff’s Department .
The 3,500 cockfighting birds found throughou