A man has been sentenced to 45 days in the Los Angeles County Jail and 12 months of summary probation for feeding a hawk an alcoholic beverage.In June 2025, 25-year-old Cesar Gustavo Diaz captured a juvenile Cooper’s hawk and poured a BuzzBall into its mouth. A video of the incident surfaced on YouTube.Concerned viewers reported the incident to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and officers executed five search warrants during the investigation.Diaz was already in custody at the time on unrelated charges. He was identified and questioned about the incident. He allegedly released the hawk before wildlife officials could intervene.Diaz was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and capturing/confining wildlife. He entered a no-contest plea. In addition to probation and jail time, he was also sentenced to 20 days of community labor. He is required to complete a 24-session animal cruelty counseling program. Diaz is also subject to a five-year prohibition on possessing animals and a 10-year firearm prohibition.Cooper’s hawks are protected under California and federal law.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY, Calif. —

A man has been sentenced to 45 days in the Los Angeles County Jail and 12 months of summary probation for feeding a hawk an alcoholic beverage.

In June 2025, 25-year-old Cesar Gustavo Diaz captured a juvenile Cooper’s hawk and poured a BuzzBall into its mouth. A video of the incident surfaced on YouTube.

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Concerned viewers reported the incident to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and officers executed five search warrants during the investigation.

Diaz was already in custody at the time on unrelated charges. He was identified and questioned about the incident. He allegedly released the hawk before wildlife officials could intervene.

Diaz was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and capturing/confining wildlife. He entered a no-contest plea. In addition to probation and jail time, he was also sentenced to 20 days of community labor. He is required to complete a 24-session animal cruelty counseling program. Diaz is also subject to a five-year prohibition on possessing animals and a 10-year firearm prohibition.

Cooper’s hawks are protected under California and federal law.