On Tuesday, December 19, 2017, a motion was introduced by Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Shiela Keuhl to limit the keeping of roosters in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The purpose of the motion is to improve quality of life for residents, reduce complaints of noise and odor and reduce illegal cockfighting.

This does not mean that laws have changed and there is no immediate impact on residents. Many cities in Los Angeles County already prohibit or limit the number of roosters allowed and several counties in California are enacting or have already enacted similar ordinances.

As part of the review process, the county’s Department of Animal Care and Control will host eight community forums open to the public.

Department representatives will be available at each forum to meet with residents and hear comments, concerns and suggestions.

We welcome public input to ensure the most effective and fair ordinance possible.

We encourage community members to attend these forums and participate in the discussion of the keeping of roosters or to send their suggestions by mail or e-mail.

The forums will be held on the following dates and locations:

* Wednesday, January 31
Stephen Sorensen Park
16801 E. Ave. P
Lake Los Angeles, CA 93591
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

* Saturday, February 3
Sorensen Park
11419 Rosehedge Drive
Whittier, CA 90606
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

* Thursday, February 8
Chas Farnsworth Park
568 E. Mt. Curve Ave
Altadena, CA 91001
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Monday, February 12
Ted Watkins Memorial Park
1335 E 103rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90002
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

* Wednesday, February 14
Acton/Agua Dulce Public Library
33792 Crown Valley Rd.
Acton, CA 93510
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

* Saturday, February 17
Eugene Obregon Park
4021 E 1st street
Los Angeles, CA 90063
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

* Wednesday, February 21
San Angelo Park
245 S. San Angelo Avenue
La Puente, CA 91746
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

* Monday, February 26
122 N Topanga Canyon Blvd.
Topanga, CA 90290
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Residents unable to attend one of the forums may send comments via mail:

“Proposed Rooster Ordinance”
c/o Department of Animal Care and Control
5898 Cherry Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90805

Comments may also be emailed to legal@animalcare.lacounty.gov.

The complete text of the Supervisors’ motion follows:

Gamefowl Storage Restriction
The largest seizure of illegal cockfighting birds in U.S. history took place in May, 2017 in the
unincorporated Los Angeles County area of Val Verde. More than 7,800 cockfighting birds,
along with illegal cockfighting paraphernalia, guns, and illegal drugs were seized by the Los
Angeles County Sheriff, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control,
and many supporting agencies.

This property was the subject of a similar action in 2007 when more than 2,700 illegal cockfighting birds were seized.

Cockfighting is an inhumane crime in which animals are forced to fight to the death for
amusement and gain. Other crimes such as gambling, illegal drugs, weapons, prostitution,
and child abuse occur during these fights.

Cockfighting operations are not limited to rural areas. In many cases, property owners with
close neighbors may keep hundreds of these birds. The keeping of such large numbers of
fighting birds creates significant problems of excessive noise, flies, and potential sources of
disease such as Avian Flu or Exotic Newcastle Disease. They interfere with residents’
ability to peacefully enjoy their properties and reduce property values.

Also, may cockfighting operations store cockfighting paraphernalia at different locations
from the game fowl. As was mentioned, storing game fowl attracts attention, but the lack of
cockfighting evidence onsite inhibits law enforcement’s ability to crack down on these illegal
operations.

For these reasons, a number of California counties have adopted ordinances restricting the
keeping of roosters. These ordinances have helped to reduce or eliminate illegal rooster
fighting in their counties, as well as the associated crimes and quality of life issues that
come with them. Los Angeles County should have the same protections for its residents.

WE, THEREFORE, MOVE that the Department of Animal Care and Control and the office of
County Counsel report back to the Board in 30-days with a recommendation to limit the
keeping of roosters in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles County.