Four Fresno County teenagers were arrested Wednesday evening in connection with the golf-club slaughter of more than 900 chickens at a Foster Farms ranch south of Fresno, authorities said.
Gabriel Quintero, 18, of Riverdale and three juveniles, a 15- and a 17-year-old from Caruthers and 17-year-old from Lemoore, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and felony cruelty to animals, said the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office. The juveniles’ names were not released because of their ages.
The four are suspected of breaking into a chicken shed near Caruthers and killing 920 birds with a golf club the morning of Sept. 20.
The chickens were valued at $5,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
Investigators said an outpouring of tips helped lead them to the suspects.
Foster Farms as well as animal rights groups offered rewards for information leading to the killers’ arrests and convictions.
