833 roosters seized in massive Bay Area cockfighting bust

Hundreds of roosters have been confiscated in connection with a suspected illegal cockfighting operation in a rural enclave of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region authorities say has seen similar activity in the past.

Video released by the Sonoma County Sheriff depicts what officials described as a large and unsanitary property in rural Santa Rosa. Investigators allege that 30-year-old resident Saul Villalobos-Delacruz operated an extensive cockfighting enterprise there, equipped with items such as slashers, timers, betting slips, and conditioning supplements.

Roosters in individual wire cages with large muddy puddles on the ground outside the cages. — Authorities uncovered more than 800 roosters and evidence of a cockfighting operation.

Evidence of a cockfighting operation, including money, weapons, and razor blades, on a wooden table. — Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office shared this photo of money, weapons, and razor blades, on a wooden table.

According to authorities, 833 roosters were seized from the property. Villalobos-Delacruz was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty and bird fighting-related offenses. He was later released under pre-trial supervision.

The case follows other similar discoveries in the area. In 2024, officials found at least 1,000 birds allegedly bred for fighting at another rural Santa Rosa property, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.

Earlier, in 2018, sheriff’s deputies uncovered what they described as a “sophisticated illegal cockfighting” operation while investigating a fatal shooting near Petaluma, according to CBS News.