Cockfighting pit discovered in Santa Cruz Co., 1 arrest made

( KRON ) — Santa Cruz County deputies responding to a welfare check Tuesday in the Santa Cruz Mountains discovered an illegal cockfighting pit, authorities said.

A search warrant for the property near the 30000 block of Highland Way was obtained and deputies along with animal control officers "spent most of the night" searching the scene, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office said. Uncovered in the search were 10 firearms and approximately 200 roosters.

The roosters, according to the sheriff’s office, were mutilated for the attachment of cockfighting knives. "While the scene was being processed, deputies ensured to feed and give water to the hungry birds," SCCSO said.

Juan Buenrostro Ochoa, 40, was arrested in connection to the cockfighting pit.

Anyone with information in the ongoing investigation is asked to contact Deputy Drew Renwick at drew.renwick@santacruzcountyca.gov or Deputy Jeffrey Eisner at Jeffrey.eisner@santacruzcountyca.gov.

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