Local Police in Elche have seized five cockerels following a routine traffic stop in the rural district of Maitino, amid suspicions of animal cruelty and their possible use in cockfighting.

Officers stopped a vehicle and discovered the birds being transported in the boot without any form of protection or the required documentation. During an inspection, police noticed that one of the cockerels had a mutilated comb, a practice commonly associated with birds used for fighting, which raised concerns about a potential offence against animal welfare laws.

Police officers filed a report and immediately seized the animals in line with animal protection regulations. The cockerels were transferred to an animal rescue organisation, where they are receiving veterinary care and monitoring.

The person transporting the birds has been reported as the person responsible for the animals. Investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the case.