Nearly 20 people were arrested on Sunday morning when the Fresno County Sheriff's Department broke up a cockfight in Fresno County south of Caruthers. The property homeowner and 16 additional subjects were arrested on charges related to animal fighting. Deputies also located 19 live roosters on the property, many of which were injured and bloodied from the fights.

The animals were taken by the local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Owner Raul Hernandez, 43, was charged with animal fighting, possessing of cocks with the intent of fighting them and the possession of gaffs -- a sharp object commonly used in cockfighting events to spur the animals.

Deputies received word of the event just after 9:30 a.m., when an anonymous call reported that 25 people were attending a cockfight in the 17000 block of South Fruit Avenue.

When law enforcement officials arrived on the scene, several attendees ran inside the residence to hide in closets, under beds and even in a shower stall. Deputies arrested one man who jumped out of a window and tried to run from the scene.

Also arrested was Armando Ceja Magalloon, a previously deported felon, now being held at the Fresno County Jail on a federal immigration hold.

Investigators discovered several pieces of equipment commonly used during cockfights in the back yard, where the illegal sport was being held.

(March 25, 2008)