Sheriff's deputies break up Hinkley cockfight

HINKLEY - Sheriff's deputies raided a large cockfight in Hinkley, arresting 23 suspects and confiscating 81 birds.

The raid occurred at 10:30 p.m. on Saturday night after sheriff's deputies received a tip from a confidential informant in Hinkley that a cockfight was going to take place at a ranch on the 32000 block of Hinkley Road, according to Sgt. Manny Mendoza of the Barstow sheriff's station.

Mendoza said deputies arrived on the scene and found approximately 40 people at the ranch participating in the cockfight. When the crowd began to scatter, the Barstow Police Department, California Highway Patrol and BNSF Railway Police assisted the sheriff's department.

All for ms of cockfighting are illegal in California, Mendoza said, and deputies will be investigating claims of others in the area. Unfortunately, the sheriff's informant could not supply addresses of other potential fights.

"According to our informant, they are pretty common and occurring at ranches in the Hinkley area," Mendoza said.

Deputies arrested 23 people for suspicion of cruelty to animals. They also seized 81 birds, $8,700 in bets placed on the fights, betting boards and sharp blades known as spurs, which are attached to the ankles of birds to kill or injure an opponent.

San Bernardino County Animal Control officers responded to remove the birds from the location.

Mendoza did not know the condition or whereabouts of the birds, and animal control officers could not be reached for comment.

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