Authorities seeking animal fighting suspects

WATSONVILLE — Prompted by several instances of suspected illegal animal fighting in the Watsonville area, local animal welfare officials are asking for help from the public.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has offered a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrests and convictions of the people responsible for several dog and cockfighting cases.

Authorities have over the past several months found 43 dead roosters near Shell Road and 34 off Rancho Road. All appear to have been involved in illegal cockfighting, according to Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Field Services Manager Todd Stosuy.

In cockfighting, two roosters with knives attached to their legs are placed in a ring and fight until one dies.

Animal authorities have also found two six-month-old pit bulls in the Interlaken area of Watsonville, which appear to have been used as bait dogs.

In dog baiting, game dogs attack another dog that has been chained in place, as a way to train them for combat. The dogs bite and tear to subdue the opposing animal by incapacitating or killing it.

“Cockfighting and dogfighting are barbaric rituals that involve egregious animal cruelty and torture,” Stosuy said. “The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter will work with the District Attorney’s Office to prosecute those involved in cockfighting or dogfighting to the fullest extent of the law.”

These incidents come less than a year after 31 dead roosters were discovered in similar conditions near Rancho Road in May 2016. That case is still being investigated.

PETA Senior Director of Cruelty Casework Stephanie Bell said that animal fighting is illegal in all 50 U.S. states.

 “PETA is urging anyone with information about these injured dogs or mutilated, dead and decaying birds to come forward immediately so that whoever is responsible can be held accountable,” Bell said.

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Anyone with information is asked to call the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter at 454-7200, extension 1.