26.02.2026 22:43
Cesar Gustavo Diaz, a 25-year-old living in Los Angeles, USA, became a topic of discussion on social media after being filmed capturing a protected hawk and giving it alcohol. Diaz, who was sentenced to prison for animal cruelty, is also subject to a five-year ban on owning animals and a ten-year ban on possessing firearms.
A young man who captured a protected hawk and forced it to drink alcohol for the sake of filming a video on social media could not escape punishment. The court not only sentenced the 25-year-old to prison but also imposed a 5-year ban on keeping animals and a 10-year ban on firearms.
COMMITTED ANIMAL CRUELTY
Cesar Gustavo Diaz, 25, who was seen in videos on social media forcing alcohol into a protected hawk in Los Angeles, USA, was sentenced to prison for animal cruelty.
According to a statement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Diaz captured a young Cooper's hawk in Amelia Mayberry Park in South Whittier in June 2025. Later, in a video published on YouTube, Diaz was seen pouring alcohol from a green cocktail cup into the bird's mouth.
FOOTAGE SPREAD ON SOCIAL MEDIA
After the footage spread on social media, citizens informed the CDFW. Five separate search warrants were executed as part of an investigation initiated by the agency's Special Operations Unit. Authorities identified Diaz with the support of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Safe Streets Operation unit.
45 DAYS IN JAIL, 12 MONTHS PROBATION
The court sentenced Diaz, who appeared before the judge on February 19 and accepted the charges, to 45 days in jail and 12 months of probation.
According to the CDFW's statement, Diaz was also ordered to complete 20 days of community service, a 24-session counseling program for cruelty to animals, a 5-year ban on keeping animals, a 10-year ban on possessing firearms, a $220 fine, and to pay court costs.