25-Year-Old Man Poured Alcohol into Hawk’s Mouth Sentenced to Jail Time for Animal Cruelty 

A man in Los Angeles County has been sentenced to 45 days in jail and 12 months of probation after a video appeared on YouTube showing him pouring alcohol into the mouth of a protected hawk.

On Feb. 19, Cesar Gustavo Diaz, 25, from Watts, was sentenced after entering a no-contest plea to an animal cruelty charge. Authorities said he was seen giving alcohol to a juvenile Cooper’s hawk. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Diaz had captured the bird at Amelia Mayberry Park in South Whittier in June 2025.

CDFW officials stated that Diaz received 12 months of summary probation, 45 days in Los Angeles County Jail with credit for time served, 20 days of community labor, and was ordered to complete a 24-session animal cruelty counseling program. He is also banned from possessing animals for five years and prohibited from owning firearms for ten years. In addition, he must pay $220 in fines and fees.

The investigation began after members of the public alerted wildlife officials about the YouTube video. Images shared by CDFW showed the hawk being fed alcohol from what appeared to be a green BuzzBallz cocktail container.

Wildlife officers carried out five search warrants during the investigation. With help from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Operation Safe Streets unit, Diaz — a convicted felon already in custody on unrelated charges — was identified and interviewed. Officials said the hawk had allegedly been released before authorities intervened.

CDFW reminded the public that Cooper’s hawks are protected under both California and federal law. Capturing, harming, or harassing wildlife is illegal and can lead to criminal charges.

Court records indicated that Diaz had already served 44 of his 45-day jail sentence before sentencing, partly due to credit for good behavior. Authorities did not immediately provide further comment.