Above: RSPCA officers seized the birds.By Jessica Craike
ANIMAL welfare officers fear a Keysborough cockfight in which birds rip each other to death is just one of many illegal animal fights across the nation.
Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown has urged residents to dob in the illegal fights after an anonymous tipster helped police and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) bust an illegal cockfight ring in Festival Crescent, Keysborough, on Sunday.
One bird was found dead and 49 other birds taken into RSPCA care.
Two 30-year-old men were arrested over the incident.
RSPCA senior investigator Allie Jallbert said the birds suffered from fighting injuries including pierced lungs, broken bones and pierced eyes.
She said at least 10,000 animal cruelty cases were exposed nationwide each year.
Ms Jallbert believes the actual figures are much higher, as most incidents are within ‘underground groups’ which are harder to uncover.
While cockfighting may be legal in some places such as Malaysia and Puerto Rico, Ms Jallbert is outraged that “such a horrific act of cruelty” could be considered a gambling sport.
“It is a misconception,” she said. “There is no place for it in Australia.”
The Australian Animal Protection Society in Keysborough was shattered to learn a cockfighting ring existed nearby.
“It doesn’t matter what type of animal it is, it still deserves respect,” society president Christine Giles said.
The birds used for cockfighting are bred and trained for their aggression against other roosters.
During a cockfight two birds are placed in a ring to fight until death. The ring offers no escape and the birds have no option but to battle to survive.
A leather strap with needle spikes ranging from 2.5 to 7.5 centimetres (one to 2.5 inches) long is attached to the bird’s ankle to harm its opponent.
Even if a bird wins, it can suffer injuries that may lead to its death without veterinary care.
Cr Brown denounced the illegal cockfight.
“It is very cruel to encourage birds to rip themselves to pieces for the perversion of individuals,” he said.
“We need to raise public awareness.”
Cr Brown said the mystery phone call that alerted police to the illegal ring showed “a human conscience”, and he encouraged more people to dob in animal fights.
Those found guilty of running cockfights face up to 12 months in jail or a $12,000 fine.
