POLICE have handed to the RSPCA more than $90,000 seized during last September’s raid on a Rockbank cockfighting ring.
But they have warned that the problem of illegal cockfighting is far from banished from Melton.
Detective Sergeant Rob Henley said police were constantly keeping an eye out for illegal gambling and cruelty to animals.
“We know they are still out there,” he said. “The ones [offenders] who had birds taken off them keep doing it.
‘‘Illegal gambling of this nature carries an added burden of money laundering and things that go with that, like drug money. So you can’t allow it to continue.”
Last September’s raid on the Neale Road property occurred after weeks of investigations by police and the RSPCA.
Police seized $90,742 cash during the raid. A court ordered it to be forfeited to the RSPCA.
A total of 86 people who were present at the fight were charged with being found in a common gaming place and attending an event at which an animal was encouraged to fight.
Police found more than 300 birds that experienced extensive bleeding and trauma, and 233 roosters had to be destroyed.
RSPCA inspector Shannon Walsh said the money would go towards vital animal welfare work, including investigating cases of animal cruelty and prosecuting offenders.
Last week, two men, of Deer Park and Sunshine West, faced Sunshine Magistrate Court on charges stemming from a separate cockfighting raid in Plumpton last year.
Both cases were adjourned until July 19.
