Los Angeles Man Receives Jail Sentence for Animal Cruelty After Viral Hawk Incident
A man from Los Angeles has been sentenced to 45 days in county jail after a widely circulated video depicted him feeding alcoholic beverages to a juvenile Cooper's hawk. Cesar Gustavo Diaz, aged 25 and residing in the Watts neighbourhood of LA, filmed himself capturing the protected bird in a suburban park during June 2025. He subsequently uploaded the footage to YouTube, where it quickly garnered public attention and raised significant concerns regarding the animal's welfare, as reported by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
Details of the Viral Video and Investigation
In the controversial video, Diaz is seen holding the brown-and-beige-feathered raptor in his hands. At one point, he produces an alcoholic drink contained within a green vessel and proceeds to pour the liquid directly into the hawk's mouth. As the bird consumes the alcohol, on-screen text reads, "hawk loves him some buz (sic) ball." Another segment shows the hawk positioned beside the green container, staring into the camera while captions state, "Hanging out with the homie." The CDFW initiated an investigation after receiving multiple alerts from concerned members of the public, with the Special Operations Unit overseeing the case.
During the inquiry, authorities executed a total of five search warrants. They eventually identified Diaz as the individual in the video, who was already in custody on unrelated charges at the time. According to the CDFW, Diaz allegedly released the hawk before he could be formally interviewed by officials.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Diaz faced charges of misdemeanor animal cruelty and the unlawful capture and confinement of wildlife. On February 19, 2026, he entered a no-contest plea to the animal cruelty charge, resulting in a sentence of 12 months of summary probation. In addition to the 45-day jail term, with credit given for time already served, the court mandated Diaz to complete 20 days of community labour and attend a 24-session animal cruelty counselling programme.
Furthermore, Diaz received a five-year prohibition on possessing any animals, a ten-year firearm ban, and was ordered to pay $220 in fines and associated fees. This comprehensive sentencing reflects the severity with which the court viewed the incident, particularly given the protected status of Cooper's hawks under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which prohibits their hunting, capture, or killing.
Public Outrage and Conservation Context
The YouTube video provoked a substantial backlash across social media platforms, with numerous users expressing outrage and questioning Diaz's motives. One commenter demanded, "Is the hawk okay? It was obviously in distress to allow a human to prod at it like that," while another responded to the CDFW's statement by exclaiming, "What the heck is wrong with people?"
Cooper's hawks are currently listed as "least concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species, indicating they are not at immediate risk of extinction. Described as "crow-sized" by AllAboutBirds, these raptors exhibit sexual dimorphism, with females often larger than males. Female Cooper's hawks can measure up to 17.7 inches in length with wingspans reaching 35.4 inches, whereas males typically grow to about 15.3 inches in length but possess similar wingspans.
The case underscores ongoing issues of animal welfare and the legal protections afforded to migratory birds, highlighting the consequences of such irresponsible actions in the digital age where viral content can swiftly lead to criminal accountability.
