Location: Avenue 300/ Road 212 Exeter

Incident Date: 06-14-15

Incident Time: 1030

Case Number: 15-7443

Victim: State of California

Posted by: Media Relations

Suspect: Dustin Hardin 38 years old, resident of Terra Bella 

The Tulare County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to an orange orchard in the area of Avenue 300 and Road 212 in Exeter in regards to a possible rooster fight. Deputies arrived on scene and contacted the property manager who stated an unknown amount of people were trespassing and possibly fighting roosters. Deputies responded to the area and contacted numerous subjects within the orange orchard. 

During the course of the investigation it was determined the suspect, Dustin Hardin had organized the illegal rooster fight. The suspect had setup a fighting ring which also contained a score board. Deputies managed to locate 24 live roosters within the orange which had been abandoned, as numerous subjects fled the area. Deputies collected all 24 roosters who were later released to animal control. 12 suspects were charged with trespassing and Dustin Hardin who organized the event was charged with conspiracy to commit a crime and cruelty to animals.   

This case is currently under investigation by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.