A vet has been seized by police accused of illegally trimming and cutting the crests of more than 4,000 fighting roosters in Spain.

The 59-year-old animal medic from Valencia – whose identity has not been disclosed by local media – was accused of document forgery and continued animal abuse.

Officers from the Civil Guard arrested him, according to a statement obtained by Newsflash from the Spanish Ministry of Interior on 23rd October.

His case came to light after detectives obtained more than 100 documents on “Spanish combatant” roosters from the regional vet clinic when they learnt about his activities.

Consecutive analysis of those files showed that a total of 4,445 animals from 17 different provinces around the country were included in the act.

Officials also discovered that the vet had issued false certificates in many of the cases and was often not even present during the act.

All of the abused animals, both male and female, were reportedly between one and nine months old when the illegal trimming procedures were performed.

Spanish legislation states that such procedures must be finalised within the first 72 hours following the bird’s hatching.

According to the Ministry of the Interior, these types of practices are performed exclusively on male hatchlings to ensure their welfare.

Latter trimming could otherwise lead to an extremely painful postoperative period for the young birds as the removed part affects numerous nerve endings, according to the ministry.

The case was handed over to the Valencia Environment and Urban Development Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation continues.