A convicted felon in Los Angeles was sentenced to jail on Tuesday for animal cruelty after a viral video circulating on social media, showed him giving a juvenile Cooper’s hawk a sip of an alcoholic beverage.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Cesar Gustavo Diaz, 25, of Watts, captured a young Cooper’s hawk at Amelia Mayberry Park in June 2025. Soon after, a video posted on YouTube showed Diaz pouring an alcoholic beverage into the bird’s mouth.
People who viewed the video were seriously disturbed and alerted the CDFW which then began an investigation by the Special Operations Unit. Officers served several search warrants during the investigation, and with the assistance of Los Angeles Operation Safe Streets detectives, were able to confront Diaz, a convicted felon, already in custody on unrelated charges.
Diaz had released the hawk prior to his arrest. He was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty (PC 597(b)) and capturing/confining wildlife (FG 3005.5).
Diaz entered a no-contest plea to the animal cruelty charge. He was sentenced to 12 months of summary probation, 45 days in Los Angeles County Jail (with credit for time served), 20 days of community labor, completion of a 24-session animal cruelty counseling program, five-year prohibition on possessing animals, ten-year firearm prohibition and payment of $220 in fines and fees.
Cooper’s hawks are protected under California and federal law.
The public should always be aware that capturing, harming or harassing wildlife is illegal and can result in criminal charges.
Anyone with information about wildlife crimes is encouraged to report them to CalTIP at 888-334-2258 or via the CalTIP app.
This time wildlife won. Many thanks to the diligent officers who made sure the person involved in such inane cruelty had been arrested and sent to prison.
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