Police in São João do Itapério, north of Santa Catarina, rescued more than 120 canaries from a dog fight on Sunday. The animals were kept in poor conditions, some of them had serious injuries.

A canary fight is like a cockfight: the birds are thrown into the fight, and the fight only ends when one of them dies or gives up because they can’t take it anymore due to their injuries.

To encourage fighting, females are kept trapped in place. In addition to the birds being injured, in some cases they are drugged or drugged to stay in the ring longer.

According to the military police, 124 rescued birds have been sent to the university veterinary hospital and will be treated. Those rehabilitated will be released later.

In addition to carrying out rescue work, 11 people were detained as part of the action, who will be held administratively and criminally responsible for environmental crimes. The action was carried out by the Ecological Military Police and the 17th Military Police Battalion of Joinville, as well as the military police of Araquari and Barra Velha.

Over 120 canaries rescued – Photo: PM/Disclosure

They were used in dogfights – Photo: PM/Disclosure

11 people detained – Photo: PM/Disclosure