SEVERAL property owners across Queensland were issued with search warrants last week in relation to cockfighting, including owners of at least one Park Ridge address.
The July 19 operation was the result of a major year-long investigation into illegal cockfights and the import-export of cock birds for the purpose of fighting.
RSPCA inspectors located and seized 186 fowl and numerous cockfighting paraphernalia, including prohibited spurs which are attached to cock birds during fights.
“The investigation is ongoing,” RSPCA Queensland chief inspector Daniel Young said.
“We’d urge anyone who has any information to come forward.”
- Read more: Pay the RSPCA or lose your dogs
- Read more: RSPCA endorses pet version of Airbnb
- Read more: Dogs seized from puppy farm
The properties raided were at Cairns, Gympie, Sunshine Coast, north Brisbane, west of Ipswich and three properties in south Brisbane, including at least one at Park Ridge, an RSPCA spokesman told the Times.
“There were a couple of properties at Park Ridge,” he said.
“There will definitely be charges laid down the track. Cockfighting is illegal under the Animal Care and Protection Act.”
According to the spokesman, the charges will allege that implements used for cockfighting, material about cockfighting and other documentation was found at the properties.
“We believe they are all linked to the same ring, and that there have been cock birds that are specifically bred to be exported overseas to be used in cockfighting.”
An “extensive ring” of cockfighting existed in Queensland, the spokesman alleged.
“We believe that on some of the properties, occasionally there were fights taking place,” he said.
“We receive information from members of the public and we follow up on that. It’s exactly the same as a police investigation.”
For cruelty complaints and animal emergencies (including Wildlife) contact 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or use the online cruelty form rspcaqld.org.au/what-we-do/save-animals/inspectorate/report-cruelty.