400 Marin Roosters Likely Used In Cockfights Euthanized

TOMALES (CBS/AP) - Marin County officials have euthanized about 400 roosters they believe were being raised for cockfighting on the property of a man who killed himself just as sheriff's deputies arrived to arrest him on suspicion of child molestation.

Marin Humane Society spokeswoman Carrie Harrington told the Marin Independent Journal they had no direct evidence the birds were used for fights, such as a fighting arena on the property.

But many birds had sloppily stitched-up wounds. All were missing their natural spurs, which are often replaced with sharper metal spurs for cockfights.

Deputies arriving to arrest the man May 25 heard a gunshot and found him mortally wounded in his bedroom. The newspaper is not naming him to protect the alleged victim's identity.

An investigation into the possible cockfighting operation is ongoing.

(Copyright 2011 by CBSSan Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)