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#1
03-02-2010, 08:59 PM
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Yucaipa cockfighting birds
Authorities say Yucaipa ranch trained cockfighting birds
Stacia Glenn, Staff Writer 02/23/2010 There is a sharp contrast between the beautifully groomed roosters that are tethered to plastic barrels and the scores of hens who roam loose on a sprawling 10-acre ranch in a rural corner of Yucaipa. Whether the Dandy Game Fowl Ranch is a simple chicken farm carrying on the city's long tradition or a sinister place where certain fowl were trained for bloody battle in Mexico is yet to be seen. Local, state and federal authorities raided the ranch Feb. 16 and claimed they found evidence that 441 roosters were being bred and trained for cockfighting derbies. Owners Mike and Bertha Mitchell are believed to be out of the country and did not respond to calls for comment. Their Web site says they have "12 years of experience raising the highest quality of game fowl not only of California, but of the United States." Five roosters confiscated as evidence from the Dandy Game Fowl Ranch in Yucaipa sit in separate cages at the San Bernardino County Animal Shelter in Devore. Authorities raided the Yucaipa ranch last week. The owners are suspected of breeding, training and selling roosters for cockfighting derbies in Mexico. (Al Cuizon/Staff Photographer) experience raising the highest quality of game fowl not only of California, but of the United States." An edition of Pie de Cria, a cockfighting magazine published in Mexico, features an interview with Mike Mitchell talking about selling his gamecocks in Mexico. It was Dandy Game Fowl's advertisement in the magazine that caught the attention of the Humane Society of the United States, who alerted the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. "This was a training ground for feathered gladiators," said Eric Sakach, a senior law enforcement specialist with the HSUS. A rusted white iron gate circles the ranch, which includes a two-story house and dozens of wire cages where younger roosters appear to be housed. Older roosters are tethered to white plastic barrels with a metal pole. These are the fowl that have had their earlobes, wattles and combs removed, a practice that is common both for roosters being trained for cockfights and for show roosters. Neighbors who have lived alongside the Mitchells' ranch for more than a decade say they've never seen any suspicious behavior and were upset with authorities who descended on the Sprig Avenue ranch with patrol cars and a helicopter. "They just raise chickens. We raise chickens in Yucaipa," said a neighbor who declined to give his name. About 30 chicken farms could be found in Yucaipa during the 1970s, though only one large farm continues to operate. Heidi Roberts, who has lived across the street for 15 years, described Mike Mitchell as "a nice guy" and said she has never seen or heard anything that leads her to believe there was an illegal operation being run at Dandy Game Fowl Ranch. "We've never had a complaint against him," she said. Five roosters were seized as evidence and will be held at the Devore Animal Shelter until the case is concluded. The hens and other 436 roosters were tagged, photographed and left on the ranch. It is still the Mitchells' responsibility to care for the birds, though they are not allowed to remove them from the property. Most, if not all, of the fowl are expected to be killed if the Mitchells are convicted of charges because the birds have been trained for aggression. The Mitchells had not been charged as of late Tuesday. Deputy Chris Wadkins, who led the operation and is part of the department's rural crime task force, which handles agriculture and livestock cases, declined to comment specifically on what was allegedly happening at the Yucaipa ranch. But he did say that cockfighting is a problem throughout California, though operations are typically smaller than what was found on the Mitchells' ranch. Raising gamecock is a profitable business, especially for owners who become known on the circuit as raising and fighting successful roosters. "Because of their illicit celebrity, their birds become much more valuable and sought after," Sakach said. "They're able to sell their birds at a premium." Gamecock can sell for as low as $75 but the average price ranges from $175 to $250. High-end birds can cost more than $1,000. It is unknown how much roosters raised at Dandy Game Fowl Ranch were being sold for.
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Freibier gab's gestern Hay burros en el maiz RAP IS TO MUSIC WHAT ETCH-A-SKETCH IS TO ART Don't drink and post.  "A nickel will get you on the subway, but garlic will get you a seat." - Old New York Yiddish Saying "You can observe a lot just by watching." Yogi Berra Old journeyman commenting on young apprentices - "Think about it, these are their old days" SOMETIMES IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. Never, ever, wear a bright colored shirt to a stand up comedy show. 
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#3
03-05-2010, 06:20 PM
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You guys are failing to look at the bright side. If we can attempt to broaden our horizons a little bit and recognize that this 3rd world manifestation is truly sport at its finest, perhaps we won't all be so lost or bummed out if the NBA has a lockout/strike next year.
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#4
03-05-2010, 06:29 PM
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#5
03-06-2010, 05:52 AM
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I think you may have something here. In fact, you've created a solution that addresses multiple NBA related issues. Not only have you come up with a method for teams to solve the problem of how to dispose of unwanted players with overly generous contracts, but you've hit upon a promotion that may attract newly arrived immigrants who hail from the Mexican countryside and are unfamiliar with the game of basketball. Last edited by DerailAmnesty.com; 03-06-2010 at 05:55 AM.
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#6
03-06-2010, 08:40 AM
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