Largest cockfighting ring bust in US history conducted in LA

Police in Los Angeles have conducted what they believe is this largest illegal cockfighting ring bust in US history after recovering more than 7,000 fowls from a property in Val Verde.

A search warrant involving 100 police officers as well as animal welfare experts took place on a rural 80-acre property following a month long investigation.

As well as thousands of birds, many of which had injuries consistent with cockfighting, officers also recovered several mobile fighting rings, razors hooks known as gaffs which are attached to the rooster's claws, medications and other items indicative of illegal cock fighting.

The search also found the bloody carcases of several birds, all of which had slash wounds and other injuries consistent with fighting.

Eric Sakach, from the Humane Society of the United States, told ABC7: "The knife-style of fighting are particularly bloody. The bird is being repeatedly stabbed to the chest area. It's not unusual to hear a bird to start to vomit up or regurgitate blood."

"You'll often see these guys put the bird's head in their mouth and suck the blood out of the bird's throat because that may buy the bird a few extra seconds of breathing to be able to attack its opponent and win the fight."

Several people, believed to be low-level rooster handlers, were detained but not arrested as a result of the search. The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department expect numerous charges to be brought forward as the investigation continues.

Detectives said that due to the fact these animals are sold at an average price ranging from $50 (£38) to $1500, this cost of the animals seized have an had an estimated cost ranging from $350,000 up to $10.5m.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Department Captain Jeff Perry said: "Any kind of animal blood sport activity will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County. If anyone has information about any type of animal blood sport activity, I urge you to call your local law enforcement agency."

The raid arrived as a result of a collaboration with police, the Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control; the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Bureau of Investigation; the Humane Society of the United States, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA).