Record seizure of 540 fighting roosters in Sydney south-west cockfighting ring bust

RSPCA NSW and NSW Police have seized more than 540 roosters as investigations continue into the activities of an illegal cockfighting syndicate in Sydney’s south-west.

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RSPCA NSW and NSW Police have seized more than 540 roosters as investigations continue into the activities of an illegal cockfighting syndicate in Sydney’s south-west.  

This is the largest seizure of fighting roosters ever executed by RSPCA NSW.

Over 540 roosters, cockerels and pullets, as well as cockfighting paraphernalia, were located at a property in Horsley Park following the execution of a search warrant by NSW Police yesterday (Thursday 11 March 2021) at 11 a.m. 

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RSPCA NSW inspectors caught and transported over 80 birds from the property yesterday afternoon to the Sydney Shelter and to emergency accommodation off-site.

Operations to safely remove the remaining animals will continue today (Friday 12 March 2021) and over the weekend.

A man was detained by police, and spoken to at the property, before being released.  

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This follows the seizure of 71 fighting cockerels from a property at Camden Valley Way in Catherine Field on Sunday 13 December 2020, which uncovered a designated cockfighting area and several large sheds used to house fighting birds, as well as metal spikes, spurs and other cockfighting paraphernalia.

Images and footage of the seizure available here.

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