A California man who was filmed pouring a BuzzBallz ready-to-drink cocktail into a hawk’s mouth has been sentenced.
Tuesday (Feb. 24), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife shared a statement on the recent sentencing of Cesar Gustavo Diaz, who entered a no-contest plea to the charge of animal cruelty. Diaz, 25, was ultimately sentenced to 12 months of summary probation; 45 days in jail (with time-served credit); 20 days of community labor; the completion of a counseling program; and lengthy prohibitions on the possession of animals and/or guns.
Diaz, described in the agency’s statement as “a convicted felon who was already in custody on unrelated charges,” was identified after a video showed him serving a BuzzBallz drink to a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk.
“Hanging out with the homie,” reads one caption featured in the offending video.
“Hawk loves him some buz ball [sic],” reads another, referencing the drink.
Authorities say Diaz first captured the hawk in the South Whittier area in June of last year, later featuring the bird in the aforementioned video. After the footage was shared, the general public got involved, ultimately leading to an investigation and multiple executed search warrants.
The current status of the bird is unclear, though CDFW officials say Diaz is believed to have released the hawk prior to their involvement with the case.
Complex has reached out to reps for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for comment. This story may be updated.
