Tulare County deputies raid cockfighting ring

Tulare County Sheriff’s deputies raided an illegal cockfighting ring at a home near Lindsay on Sunday just before noon.

An anonymous caller tipped the department to the event and deputies swooped onto the property in the 21000 block of Avenue 254, in the Tonyville area north of Lindsay. Attendees scattered, but deputies still managed to detain 17 people.

The house was equipped with a fighting ring, and investigators found several set gaffs, 25 living roosters, six dead roosters, numerous fight cards, gambling receipts and $1,195 in cash.

Fourteen people were cited for being spectators at an animal fight; five also were charged with resisting arrest.

The homeowners, Victor Espinoza, 46, Ofelia Espinoza, 45, and their son Victor Espinoza Jr., 22, were charged with cruelty to animals, possessing fighting birds and other charges related to the cockfight.

This story was originally published February 4, 2018 at 8:17 PM with the headline "Tulare County deputies raid cockfighting ring."