Cristiano Ronaldo's brother-in-law targeted in police raid

The brother-in-law of Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is being investigated by Brazilian authorities for suspicions of being involved in the abuse of animals. 

Alexandre Bertolucci has come under the focus of the Civil Police of Rio Grande do Sul for his involvement in the breeding of roosters destined for cockfighting, as Caliber.Az reports citing Portuguese media. 

Police raids on multiple breeding farms have discovered approximately 1,500 birds kept in precarious conditions. 

The husband of Ronaldo's sister, Kátia Aveiro, is one of multiple individuals being looked into for his involvement in the case.

In organised cockfights, the roosters’ natural fighting instincts are exaggerated through breeding, feeding, training, steroids and vitamins. Breeders often make use of mutilation tactics to prepare the animals for these activities, including cutting off their ear lobes and other parts so that the opponent cannot tear them off during a fight. 

Besides being cruel to animals, cockfighting is closely connected to other crimes such as gambling, drugs and acts of violence. It is labelled as an illegal activity in most legislations. 

By Nazrin Sadigova