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Council delays El Gallo poultry show permit after concerns over H5N1 and online content; staff ordered to vet vendor and safety details
Summary
Council members expressed concern about H5N1 restrictions and social‑media content suggesting fighting roosters; they directed staff to further vet the applicant, coordinate with law enforcement and the Equestrian Arena Committee, and return with more information before approving a special event permit.
The City Council on Jan. 13 declined to approve an El Gallo poultry show permit for the Yucaipa Equestrian Arena and instead continued the item for further vetting after councilmembers cited the state ban on poultry expositions tied to H5N1 and expressed concern over the applicant’s online material.
Megan Wolf of the Community Services Department told council the state of California has suspended poultry and dairy cattle expositions, fairs and shows because of H5N1 influenza, and staff would need to work with the applicant and the state if the council wished to approve a date. Councilmembers also said the event application lacked vendor and alcohol‑service details.
Several councilmembers said they reviewed the applicant’s social media and were concerned the organization’s posts suggested fighting roosters. Council Member Lee and others urged caution; Council Member Miller and others said similar poultry shows can be legitimate, showcasing heritage and exhibition birds rather than cockfighting. An Equestrian Arena Committee representative and the applicant’s vendors appeared and told council the group staging the show preserves rare or heritage roosters and that they do not conduct or sanction fighting.
Outcome: Council members debated motions to deny outright and to postpone. After discussion, the council voted to continue the item and directed staff to investigate the applicant’s background, vendor list, alcohol service plans and any past complaints, and to coordinate with the Sheriff’s Department and the Equestrian Arena Committee. Staff was directed to return to council with the additional vetting and recommended conditions before issuing any permit.
Ending: Wolf reminded council that if it approved the event council action would be the first step and staff would still require a completed, department‑level application including ABC (alcohol) documentation, vendor permits and health department clearances before the event could proceed. The state H5N1 ban had no end date at the time of the meeting.
