The Civil Guard arrests and investigates 40 people for holding clandestine cockfights in Valdehúncar (Cáceres)
An illegal betting shop for cockfights located in the town of Cáceres has been dismantled
In the place where the cockfights were held, more than 70 people had gathered, coming from different parts of the national territory, violating the hygiene and security measures established by the state of alarm
The Civil Guard, within the framework of the PETEINOS operation, has proceeded to arrest and investigate 40 people, (3 detainees and 37 investigated), for their alleged involvement in a crime against flora, fauna and domestic animals, in its variant of "animal abuse", for the clandestine celebration of cockfights, in a place built for this purpose in the municipality of Valdehúncar in Cáceres. The action has allowed the rescue of 44 roosters, 16 of which had wounds of various considerations, one having died as a result of the trauma that it presented.
Likewise, an illegal betting point has been dismantled, located inside a rustic plot far from inhabited nuclei in the municipality of Valdehúncar (Cáceres), where huge timbas were organized with cockfights.
The fighting between the birds took place within an enclosure, conditioned as a cabin, built with waste materials and of poor quality that lacked sanitary conditions, with infrastructures such as stands, racks, as well as a closed circle that served ring, where fights were disputed, attended by an approximate number of between 60 and 80 people.
From the investigations carried out by the agents, it has been found that participants from different points in Madrid, Toledo and Valladolid have traveled to the town of Valdehúncar (Cáceres). The bets came from both the bird owners and the spectators and from the organizers of the show.
Continuing with the investigations, and after verifying the imminent celebration of a fighting session to which a large number of people were expected to attend, the Civil Guard deployed a device to prevent fights and detain those involved.
As a result of them, a total of 44 roosters were intervened in the facilities registry, presenting 16 of them wounds of different consideration, one of them dying as a result of the trauma he presented.
In addition, more than € 14,000 were seized from clandestine bets, 19 carriers for the transfer of birds, veterinary drugs, injectables, vitamin supplements to promote activity and muscle oxygenation, retarding fatigue and fatigue, appetite stimulants and body growth, various tools such as blades for amputation of crests and spurs, nail sharpening files, and aluminum jigs to measure the length of the cock or spur of the cock. Likewise, various doses of narcotic substances, stab weapons and a notebook with multiple notes related to the holding of this type of unauthorized spectacles were intervened.
It should be noted that among the public that witnessed the fighting of animals, there were several minors, a circumstance that constitutes an aggravating circumstance in the imposition of the penalties provided for in the Criminal Code for the commission of this type of criminal act.
In this type of clandestine contests, the animals are pitted against each other, for a specified period of time in a "ring" manufactured inside the so-called "tentadero".
The environment generated by the presence of the public, intensely conditions the participating roosters and causes great aggressiveness among the birds, most of them ending with serious injuries and consequences such as loss of vision or death of the contestants. To enhance this aggressiveness, they had their crests amputated and administered substances to aggravate their violent nature and their willingness to fight during fights.
The detainees and investigated, have been proposed for administrative sanction for the fact of crossing illegal bets in which high sums of money were played between the people who were inside the premises betting and witnessing the fighting of the animals.
All the participants have also been denounced for violating the provisions of Royal Decree 463/2020 declaring the state of alarm for the management of the health crisis situation caused by COVID-19, for making unauthorized movements outside of the respective provincial limits and for not adopting security and protection measures when they are devoid of masks and do not respect social distancing measures.
The recovered roosters have been transferred to the facilities of a Protective Association, where they will be treated by veterinary practitioners for the injuries they present.
The operation has been carried out by the Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA) of the Civil Guard of the Cáceres Command, supported by Citizen Security Units of the Trujillo and Navalmoral de la Mata Companies, as well as agents from the ROCA Team and Research Area staff from the latter town.
The proceedings will be delivered to the Court of First Instance and Instruction of the Guard of Navalmoral de la Mata (Cáceres) and to the Provincial Prosecutor for the Environment of Cáceres.
For more information you can contact the Peripheral Communication Office of the Civil Guard of Cáceres, on the phone 927628150, ext. 143/144 or 680410422.
