Police arrest eight on animal cruelty charges

Earlier this month the Ventura County Sheriff's Department found extensive evidence of illegal cockfighting in an unincorporated area near Santa Paula.

Eight arrests were made on charges of cruelty to animals. After further investigation, four arrests were made on charges including possession of cockfighting paraphernalia.

On Dec. 1, Ventura County Sheriff 's patrol deputies, deputies from the Sheriff 's Tactical Response Team, Ventura County Animal Control officers and Santa Paula Fire Department personnel responded to a report of illegal cockfighting.

According to the sheriff's report, almost 1,000 chickens were found, as well as chicken coops that contained fighting spurs and other items used in cockfighting. It appeared that adult roosters had been physically altered for fighting, and vitamins, steroids, hypodermic needles and scales were recovered, the report said.

Health and building code violations were also discovered. Twenty men were detained and eight arrested.

After further investigation, detectives obtained search warrants for locations in Ventura County and one in Santa Barbara. They found more roosters and cockfighting equipment. Four arrests were made, and a home in Santa Paula was condemned for building code violations.

The investigation is continuing.