Almost 550 roosters, chickens and cockerels have been seized as part of a cockfighting syndicate bust in south-west Sydney.
More than 30 men are facing charges over their alleged involvement in the “barbaric” cockfighting ring, which prompted NSW Police and the RSPCA to seize 71 birds in a December raid at Catherine Field.
They’ll next appear at Moss Vale Local Court on April 1.
Detectives subsequently raided a Horsley Park property on Thursday, alongside RSPCA inspectors, and located the additional fowl.
A man at the property was detained by police but released.
RSPCA inspectors are helping remove the animals from the property.
In the December bust at Catherine Field, police allegedly found a designated cockfighting area, several large sheds containing the birds, as well as metal spikes, spurs and other cockfighting paraphernalia.
They also seized $107,170 and several electronic devices.
Several of the birds had to be taken into veterinary care for serious injuries.
Police believe it’s the first cockfighting ring to be shut down in about 20 years.
-AAP
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