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> Cock fighting

Large scale cockfighting ring raided

RSPCA Victoria Animal Inspectors have raided a cockfighting ring at a property in Rockbank on Sunday 9 September 2012. Approximately 350 specially bred gamecocks were located on the property as well as 86 people who were charged with being in attendance at a cockfight. It is expected additional animal cruelty charges will be handed out as our investigation continues.

It is believed that this raid is one of the largest of its kind in Australia’s history. The RSPCA’s operation is being carried out in conjunction with a large contingent from the Victorian Police force, as often these illegal bloodsport events involve other criminal behaviour due to the underground nature of these activities.

A cockfight is a blood sport between two roosters held in a ring called a cockpit. The roosters, referred to as gamecocks are specially bred and conditioned for increased stamina, strength and aggression. The comb and the wattle (the flap of skin underneath the beak) of the bird are cut off, and in many cases, they are also injected with hormones to increase size and aggression. In cockfighting, a rooster trained and bred for the game is pitted against another in a duel to the death. Gamecocks attack each other with razor-sharp blades attached to their legs. The cocks fight until ultimately one of them dies or is critically injured. The physical trauma the cocks inflict on each other is severe.

Under Australian and Victorian cruelty laws, it is an offence to allow gamecocks to fight; to be in possession of cockfighting implements or own a bird for the purposes of fighting. It is also an animal cruelty offence to be present at a cockfight.

The RSPCA is extremely pleased to have exposed this cruelty and send a clear message to all those involved in cockfighting rings, that the RSPCA and the community will not tolerate this extreme cruelty.

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