Viral Mistreatment of Protected Hawk Lands Man in Jail — Advocates Call for Education

In a shocking video that seemed more like a dare gone viral than a crime scene, 25-year-old Cesar Gustavo Diaz from Los Angeles, California, ended up behind bars. Diaz was sentenced to 45 days in jail for animal cruelty after footage showed him pouring an alcoholic drink into the mouth of a juvenile Cooper's hawk, a bird protected under both California and federal law.

​In June of 2025, Diaz captured the young hawk at Amelia Mayberry Park in South Whittier. He started recording himself forcing the animal to sip from what seemed to be a BuzzBallz cocktail container. BuzzBallz is a ready-to-drink beverage that contains 15% alcohol.

The video surfaced on YouTube, and screenshots show Diaz holding the bird while pouring a drink into its mouth, and captions like 'Hawk loves him some buz ball' are superimposed on the footage.

​YouTube Video Spurs CDFW, LASD to Nab Man Behind Alcohol-Fed Hawk

Five judge-approved search warrants were conducted by wildlife officers with the help of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department during the investigation that later identified Diaz as the suspect, per NBC. Authorities were ready to arrest Diaz, but found he was already in custody for unrelated charges.

​According to The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) in a Facebook post, '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 (£149) in fines and fee.'

The CDFW said they were alerted by the public after watching the YouTube video, prompting an investigation by the Special Operations Unit. In their statement, the CDFW said, 'Wildlife officers executed five search warrants during the investigation.

With the assistance of detectives from [Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department] LASD Operation Safe Streets, Diaz, a convicted felon who was already in custody on unrelated charges, was identified and later interviewed.' Diaz had allegedly released the hawk before CDFW intervened.​

Justice for the Hawk: Diaz Receives Jail, Probation, and Multi-Year Bans

On 19 February, Cesar Gustavo Diaz of Watts, Los Angeles, entered a no-contest plea to an animal cruelty charge. He was charged with misdemeanour animal cruelty and capturing or confining wildlife, and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 45 days in county jail, with no credit for time served.​

In addition, Diaz was ordered to serve 20 days of community service and to attend a 24-session animal cruelty counselling program. He is consequently banned from possessing any animal for the next five years, on top of his 10-year ban on firearms. Diaz was also ordered to pay $200 (£149) in fines and fees.

​Diaz has two public legal counsels assigned to his case. Court records state that he served 44 of his 45 days before his sentencing for good behaviour, according to NBC News.

The CDFW warns the public that these birds are protected under California and federal law, and that 'capturing, harming or harassing wildlife is illegal and can result in criminal charges,' as shared by People.

NBC News reports Cooper's hawks are protected under federal law by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which prohibits their capture, possession, shipment, export, or sale. In addition, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, state law prohibits harming these birds.