Full Notification

A search warrant was served in the 48000 block of 105th Street East, in an unincorporated area northeast of Lancaster at 10:10AM on Thursday, August 8, 2013. The warrant service by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau, North Patrol Division Teams of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, was the culmination of an investigation into alleged illegal cockfighting events held on the property.

The service of the warrant resulted in the seizure of several firearms (including four handguns, two rifles), a one pound quantity of marijuana, and 27 fighting and breeding roosters. The birds appeared to be in good shape, but had been prepped for fighting, by cutting their wattles and combs.

Two suspects were taken into custody for misdemeanor warrants not related to the search today. Investigators will continue their investigation regarding the primary suspects.

The first of the two men arrested for the outstanding warrants is 31 year-old, Lancaster resident, Luis A. Juarez, who is being held on a “no bail” warrant. The second suspect, 23 year-old, Lancaster resident, Richard Aguirre is being held in lieu of $31,000 bail.

Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) personnel were at the location to investigate the living conditions of several children who live at the residence. DCFS interviewed ten children in all, but did not take the children into protective custody.

Animal cruelty is a crime. Some below forsome of the other arrests by the LASD for animal fighting/abuse.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's COPS Bureau at (323) 981-5300 or Lieutenant Lieberman at (323) 627-8137. If you prefer to provide information anonymously, you may call "Crime Stoppers" by dialing (800) 222-TIPS (8477), or texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or by using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.

By:
John Voza, Lieutenant
COPS Bureau
(Community Oriented Policing Services Bureau)
Countywide Services Division
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
www.COPS.lasd.org
(323) 981-5300

***

REPORT ANIMAL ABUSE TO YOUR LOCAL SHERIFF'S OR POLICE STATION
Efforts are being made throughout the region to educate peace officers and the public about laws and penalties that prohibit animal cruelty, including animal fighting. The Animal Cruelty Education and Training Committee of the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County (POALAC) coordinates and provides training for peace officers about the unique elements of investigating animal cruelty cases.

From the Humane Society of the United States:

Cockfighting - "In a cockfight, two roosters fight each other to the death while people place bets. Cockfighters let the birds suffer untreated injuries..." http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/cockfighting/

Dogfighting - “Man’s best friend” may fight to the death in dogfights, often with tens of thousands of dollars at stake. Dogfighters sometimes kill the losing dogs, and even winning dogs may die from their wounds. Police often discover drugs, guns, and even murder in connection with dogfights. http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/dogfighting/

Read about and see photos and videos of some of the other recent arrests for Animal Fighting/Abuse by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department:

LASD South LA/Lawndale Deputies and Lawndale Animal Control save two puppies locked in hot vehicle without water (July 17, 2013)
https://nixle.com/alert/5034587/

Castaic Man Arrested By LASD SCV Deputies on Animal Cruelty Charge, After Family Pet Found Speared & Burned (June 20, 2013)
https://nixle.com/alert/5020730/

LASD Deputies Break Up Cockfighting Ring in Willowbrook . Animal Cruelty is a Crime (Sept. 7, 2012)
https://local.nixle.com/alert/4882935/?sub_id=437727

Man Arrested for Killing a Pelican In Malibu (Aug. 23, 2012)
https://nixle.com/alert/4875709/

Update: More Dogs Found During Littlerock Dogfighting Search Warrant + Felony Dogfight Charges Filed on 12 Susp's
http://nixle.com/alert/4847114/

LA County Dogfighting Hotline Tip Results in Felony Arrests in Littlerock, Antelope Valley (June 25, 2012)
http://nixle.com/alert/4845836/

LA County District Attorney announces $5,000 reward presented to dogfighting tipster. Suspects in jail. VIDEO Press Conference (Jan. 26, 2012)
http://nixle.com/alert/4779909/

Illegal Cockfighting Ring, Drugs and Firearms north of Lancaster (Oct. 12, 2011)
http://nixle.com/alert/4741147/

Home Burglary Call Results in Discovery of Cockfighting Activity in Littlerock (Aug. 5, 2011)
http://nixle.com/alert/4716752/

Gang intimidation, assault weapon, child endangerment, drugs, animal cruelty. Pet Store in Rowland Heights (July 7, 2011)
http://nixle.com/alert/4708796/

Deputies break up cockfight, make arrests in Valinda (May 15, 2011)
http://nixle.com/alert/4690528/

Dog fighting at Lake Los Angeles residence leads to 17 dogs, arrests, cocaine, & kids taken into protective custody (Mar. 2, 2011)https://nixle.com/alert/4661509/

Lancaster man arrested by deputies for beating Chihuahua puppy in Apollo Park (Dec. 15, 2010)
http://nixle.com/alert/4344414/

Partner to prevent or report crime by contacting your local Sheriff’s station, or if you wish to remain anonymous, call “LA Crime Stoppers” by dialing 800-222-TIPS (8477), texting the letters TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637), or using the website http://lacrimestoppers.org

***The LA County 24-hour Dog Fighting Tipline 877-NO2FITE or 877-662-3483, is funded in part by the Humane Society of the U.S. Up to $5,000.00 is offered for information that leads to an arrest or conviction of people engaging in the training or fighting of dogs. The identity of callers will remain confidential.

The Animal Cruelty Education and Training Committee of the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County (POALAC) was formed to provide training for peace officers about the unique elements of investigating animal cruelty cases, including dog fighting. The deputies who made this arrest attended this training.
The Crime of Dog Fighting:

* FELONY DOG FIGHTING
Someone can be charged with felony dog fighting if they do any of the following:
- Owns;
- Possesses;
- Keeps;
- Trains any dog with the intent that the dog will be used in a dog fight;
- Allows any of the above to be done on any premises under his/her charge or control; or
- Aids or abets any of the above.
California Penal Code section 597.5 is a felony. It carries a penalty of up to three years in state prison, a fine of up to $50,000, or both.

* Additional criminal charges could be for intentional cruelty, animal neglect (e.g.: in instances where dogs have been injured in a fight and not taken for medical treatment or where any of the dogs at the scene are simply neglected (untreated skin conditions, underweight, ear infections, severe flea infestation, etc.). It is also possible to charge for Practicing Veterinary Medicine Without a License.

* DOG FIGHTING - A SPECTATOR CRIME
California Penal Code section 597.5(b) makes it a crime to knowingly be present at a dog fight as a spectator OR to knowingly be present in a place where preparations for a fight are being made. The penalty is up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

** Dog fighting, cock-fighting, and other forms of animal fighting are not a sport, they are a felony. So is animal cuelty. A conviction for felony animal cruelty can result in a sentence of up to 3 years in prison.

COCKFIGHTING
California Penal Code § 597i(a) Possession of Cockfight Implements (Slashers)
It shall be unlawful for anyone to manufacture, buy, sell, barter, exchange, or have in his or her possession any of the implements commonly known as gaffs or slashers, or any other sharp implement designed to be attached in place of the natural spur of a gamecock or other fighting bird.
(b) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in a county jail...
597 (c) -Spectator at a Cockfight -
597 (J) Possession of Gamecocks for Fighting Purposes.
596: Poisoning animals.
597(a): The malicious and intentional maiming, mutilating, torture, wounding or killing of an animal.
597(b): Depriving animal of food, water, or shelter; causing unnecessary suffering.
597(c): The intentional maiming or killing of an endangered species.
597a: Cruel or inhumane transportation of animal(s).
597b: Fighting animals or cockfighting; prohibition; penalties; aiding or abetting.
597c: Owning, keeping, or training animal for fighting.
597d: Authority for arrests at animal fighting exhibition without a warrant.
597i: Possession of implements for fighting birds.
597j: Possession of gamecocks for fighting purposes.
597l: Operation of a pet shop(s) and sale of sick animals.
597t: Confinement of animals in such manner that may become entangled or injured; or without access to food, water or shelter.
597.1: Permitting animals to go without care: Veterinary care for animals.

Forwarded by:
Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau - Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
323-267-4800
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Leroy D. Baca, Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department