833 Roosters Seized in Massive Bay Area Cockfighting Bust
Sonoma County authorities recently conducted a large-scale raid on a suspected illegal cockfighting facility in rural Santa Rosa. During the bust, officials seized a total of 833 roosters. This is considered one of the largest illegal operations uncovered in the Bay Area in recent times.
Video released by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office shows a sprawling property with unsanitary conditions. Hundreds of birds were kept in crude wire cages on muddy ground. Authorities stated the living conditions for the animals were abysmal, similar to the state of chicken coops attacked by wildlife and constitute severe cruelty.
The suspect, 30-year-old Saul Villalobos-Delacruz of Santa Rosa, is accused of running the cockfighting ring. At the scene, authorities seized several key pieces of evidence including gaffs (knives attached to spurs), stopwatches, betting slips, and training supplements. Additionally, police found a large amount of cash and weapons during the raid at the site.
Villalobos-Delacruz now faces charges of animal cruelty and illegal cockfighting. Following his arrest, the man was released on pre-trial supervision. Law enforcement agencies are continuing to gather more evidence to finalize the case.
A Hotbed for Illegal Cockfighting
Rural Santa Rosa has long been considered a hotbed for cockfighting in California. Numerous suspects in California have been identified, indicating the persistence of illegal animal gambling rings in the area. In 2024, authorities also discovered at least 1,000 birds raised for cockfighting purposes on a nearby property.
In 2018, county police also uncovered a highly sophisticated cockfighting system while investigating a fatal shooting near Petaluma. These activities not only violate animal protection laws but are often linked to other dangerous crimes. Currently, authorities are expanding the investigation to completely dismantle similar rings.
