Joe Wallen
AN investigation is underway into animal cruelty in Son Banya after 36 fighting cocks were seized.
The animals were discovered during separate police raids into drug trafficking across the island.
Some 66 arrests were made as part of Operacion Ludar, with more now expected in connection with the unearthing of the fighting cocks.
Cockfighting is illegal in Spain, except in the Canary Islands, under Spain’s Animal Protection Law of 1991.
The ruling recognises that exception based on cultural heritage and the history of cockfighting on the islands.
Police discovered a reñidero – a typical cock fighting arena – which had been covertly set up inside one residence, along with stands for spectators and a holding pen for the cocks.
They also found a significant amount of evidence that suggested fights had taken place recently and would have been ongoing without the raid.
Some of the animals seized displayed injuries compatible with the practice, such as the loss of one eye, or they had parts of their bodies shaved, indicating they were being prepared to fight imminently.
Documents were also discovered detailing the times of previous fights and the weight of the animals that had fought, trophies of the winners of previous championships and medicines that were typically given to the cocks to heal wounds from previous fights.
Police also discovered a large amount of feathers in the ring and the stands.
The seized animals are being treated by a vet and will then be re-homed accordingly.
