More than 200 roosters allegedly used for cockfighting seized in Melton

More than 200 roosters have been seized from a property in Melbourne west by the RSPCA, in what it called a “significant disruption” to an alleged animal-fighting ring in Victoria.

Inspectors from the RSPCA searched a property in Melton on Friday and took possession of the roosters, which were in poor health and kept in unsanitary conditions.

A rooster, missing his comb and wattle, found at the Melton property.Credit: RSPCA

Some chickens found at the property had been mutilated by having their wattles and combs removed, a practice consistent with cockfighting.

The seizure of the birds comes after a member of the public anonymously tipped off the animal welfare agency that an illegal cockfighting evening was allegedly planned for the Melton property.

RSPCA Victoria’s inspectorate team leader, Lisa Calleja, said the roosters were “highly aggressive” and kept in cages without access to food or water.

“Cockfighting is an abhorrent and inherently cruel activity that leads to the severe suffering of the roosters used in this blood sport,” she said.

Roosters at the property in Melton on Friday.Credit: RSPCA

“The results from [Friday] represent a significant disruption to an alleged illegal animal-fighting ring.

“Our investigations … are ongoing, and we will continue to identify, pursue and prosecute people who breach animal-welfare laws in Victoria and whose actions cause harm or suffering to animals.”

The RSPCA confirmed Friday’s large-scale operation was part of a broad investigation into illegal cockfighting, with multiple persons of interest. It was the third property raid by the animal-welfare agency in Victoria in less than a month.

At the end of March, two properties in Ballarat were searched by inspectors who removed more than 30 animals, including cats.

The practice of cockfighting is illegal in Victoria under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

Under the act, it is an offence to wound, mutilate or torment animals. It is also an offence for a person to keep premises for the purpose of causing an animal to fight. Offences under the act carry a penalty of up to $92,460 or imprisonment for two years.

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