AN alleged cockfighting ring has been busted in a joint operation between police and the RSPCA in Laverton and St Albans.
Inspectors seized 21 roosters and cockfighting equipment during raids on two properties on August 1.
It is believed there are links between the latest raids and those at a Rockbank property last September, when police seized hundreds of birds and more than $100,000 cash.
RSPCA inspectorate services manager Allie Jalbert said inspectors would compile a brief of evidence before laying charges.
“If you perpetuate activities which involve cruelty to animals we will find you and prosecute you,” Ms Jalbert said.
Cockfighting is a blood sport between two roosters held in a ring called a cockpit.
The roosters attack each other with razor-sharp blades attached to their legs and are forced to fight to the death.
“Sadly, poultry that are bred for fighting purposes are unsuitable for re-homing and must be humanely put to sleep,’’ Ms Jalbert said. “This is because they are intentionally bred for aggression . . . and are then trained and injected with hormones, drugs and supplements to increase stamina and aggression.”
Hobsons Bay’s Inspector Richard Paterson said the raids were a “wonderful example of enforcement agencies working together to enhance community safety”.
Following the raids at Rockbank last year, 86 people connected with the cockfighting ring were convicted and fined under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which prohibits a person attending an event where animals are encouraged to fight.
They pleaded guilty to charges of attending a cockfight and were each ordered to pay between $1500 and $2500, to be forfeited to RSPCA.
RSPCA inspector Shannon Walsh said he hoped the penalties would send a strong message that cockfighting was a barbaric sport.
Police said the problem of animal cruelty was far from banished from the western suburbs.
