Police and RSPCA inspectors have smashed an allegedly illegal cockfighting operation in Sydney’s south-west, seizing 71 birds and detaining 35 men during a raid on a property on Sunday, following n animal cruelty complaint.
Detectives from the Organised Crime Squad searched the property in semi-rural Catherine Field, with help from RSPCA NSW inspectors, the local enforcement squad, the dog unit and PolAir.
Dozens of fighting cockerels were uncovered in the search of the south-west Sydney property. Credit:NSW Police
Officers allegedly uncovered a designated cockfighting area on the property, which also housed several large sheds containing 71 fighting cockerels in cages, along with metal spikes, spurs, and other cockfighting paraphernalia, NSW Police said in a statement on Monday.
The birds were seized by RSCPA NSW inspectors. Several were taken into veterinary care for serious injuries. Police also allegedly seized $107,170 in cash and several electronic devices from the premises, which will undergo further examination.
