SUMMIT — The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office has uncovered what officials say was a cockfighting ring with some 200 roosters mutilated with attached knives.
During a welfare check late Tuesday night on the 30000 block of Highland Way, deputies discovered the pit, according to an agency release. Deputies sought a search warrant for the property, returning with animal control officers to the site. In addition to the roosters, investigators found 10 firearms.
Juan Buenrostro Ochoa, 40, was later arrested on suspicion of his involvement with the case.
The case remained an ongoing investigation Wednesday and officials are asking anyone with information related to this case or other similar illegal activities to contact deputy Drew Renwick at drew.renwick@santacruzcountyca.gov or deputy Jeffrey Eisner at Jeffrey.Eisner@santacruzcountyca.gov.
