More than 200 birds were located on the property. Photo courtesy of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - This weekend, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Central Division Patrol Deputies responded to a residence in the south area of the county on Borden Road, regarding a large group of vehicles.

Upon their arrival, approximately 40 to 50 individuals fled the area on foot and by vehicle. Multiple vehicles crashed through neighboring fences, and several were left abandoned at the scene.

Suspecting the individuals fled because of a large-scale bird fighting event discovered on the property, Central Division Deputies and Detectives from the Sheriff’s Special Investigations Bureau (SIB) authored a search warrant, where they recovered seven birds that were tortured. More than 200 total birds were located on the property, with clear indications of being raised as fighting birds. Detectives also located numerous antibiotics and drugs used in growing and treating fighting birds, along with vials of painkillers. Sacramento County Animal Control assisted in taking multiple birds for protection, along with the injured birds that will be humanely euthanized due to their extreme injuries.

The bird fighting ring was found in South Sacramento. Photo courtesy of the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office

The Special Investigations Bureau will work with Animal Control and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office during this investigation. The California Department of Food and Agriculture has been contacted for further testing of the birds. Bird Fighting rings have been related to the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which has impacted farmers throughout California.

The investigation will be ongoing, and numerous arrests are anticipated. If anyone suspects any mistreatment, abandonment, or any event that leads to the torture of animals, the Sheriff’s Office encourages all people to report it immediately by contacting the Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874- 5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357). Tips leading to an arrest are eligible for a CASH reward of up to $1000, and tipsters remain anonymous. Tips are paid in cash, and you are never asked for identification. Contact Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357), 1-800-AA-CRIME, or **TIPS. Use the “P3 TIPS” app or online at www.sacvalleycrimestoppers.com. Tip information may also be left anonymously at www.sacsheriff.com or by calling (916) 874-TIPS (8477).