Cockfighting: California Man, Jose Luis Ochoa, Killed by Rooster at Cockfight

By Dennis Romero Tue., Feb. 8 2011 at 7:08 AM

One cockfight in California went terribly wrong.

The Mexican sport of cockfighting has drawn the ire of animal rights activists, who say it's inhumane to strap razors to the feet of foul and let them go at it as cash-fisted men cheer them on.

Here, then, is a tragic tale of one cockfighting fan who paid the ultimate price:

Authorities this week say 35-year-old Jose Luis Ochoa of Kern County, L.A. County's neighbor to the north, died after a razor-footed rooster fatally sliced him as he looked on during a fight in Tulare County last month.

A cockfighting casualty.

An autopsy notes that he died of "sharp force injury," according to Associated Press.

Cockfighting in the United States is illegal, and if it were legal authorities would probably require barriers and buffer zones that might have saved this guy.

Tags:

cockfighting, Jose Luis Ochoa, Kern County, Tulare County

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Loli

Maybe if you were in the shoes of the family you would'nt be commenting the mean things you are saying, We lost a husband, brother, father and son. Please be considerate of the family.

Robert Newberg

Lol, I Cant SAY COCKFIGHT with a straight face...they are chickens people...WHO IS COMPLAINING? YOUR fat asses are going to eat them either way they are going to die...why do you care so much? Go eat your mcchickens

Juanito Memoracion Jr.

An avenge of animals to humans for cruelty!

James

No sympathy. It's the same type of thing as a meth lab exploding and killing the occupants. He was breaking the law and being reckless and it bit him on the ass. Woops. Next contestant.

I'm actually very surprised that this type of thing doesn't happen more often considering how popular cockfighting is in some places.

Zoomer-365

This is a joke if he is really dead where is the picture of his body do u guys really believe that a guy would die by getting cut in the leg with today's medical staff and technology and you guys really need to quit spreading rumors around about the cockfighters

mondee

These roosters get treated well while they are alive. Poultry who get raised for consumption are treated way worse and have terrible lives in comparison. Chickens and roosters are not dogs...we don't eat dogs...we eat poultry. If you've ever been around roosters, which I'm sure most readers of LA Weekly have not, they are mean dirty animals--they are not companions, they are not pets. "I feel no pity for this man who chose evil"--what a ridiculous statement. What is the evil part--gambling? He was a young man who bled to death while enjoying one of life's vices that I'm sure we've all enjoyed at one time (poker, slot machines, lottery, etc...). Silly readers.

ZLoner-365

Do u think today's and our medical staff that somebody is going to die by getting cut In the leg if he died where is the proof quit spreading rumors on the Internet about the cockfighters

Beastiegurl

Sorry, but I don't feel sorry for this guy in the least. Karma's a bitch.

Janicehg

It's about time a rooster really won!!!!! Cruelty to innocent animals is disgusting. Too bad Michael Vick hasn't been mauled by one of his tortured pit bulls.

Tholt

Get off of Michael Vick!!! What about the football player who raped women..He's still playing...no jail no nothing....I quess a dog is of more value than a woman!

Rubytuez

Get off of Michael Vick? Why? Because he can throw a football? So can my grandmother. He's a highly paid ignorant athlete who tortured dogs and THAT's what he'll be remembed for.

B_r_o_d_i_e

I've written a novel about giant battle cocks who kill cock fighters and those who are cruel to animals! It's called 'Battle Cocks' by Ross Brodie.

Go here:http://amzn.com/1450518591

SusanaA

If it were legal this guy wouldn't have died?? Wow, that's some incredible logic.

How about if it were taken more seriously as a criminal act? It's illegal in CA, but it's only a misdemeanor - not a felony like it is in other states. When the purse for a fight is thousands of dollars, sometimes in the low five figures, a misdemeanor isn't much of a deterrent.

Mary

Really? We are supposed to feel sorry for this man who chose to torture animals for his entertainment and profit? We should legalize this barbaric behavior in order to protect such people? No, the problem here is that cockfighting is a misdemeanor in California. It should be a felony. I feel no pity for this man who chose evil. Roosters have no capacity to choose and, like all animals, are the victims of those who would abuse them.