WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action today applauds the rapid response of Tulsa Animal Welfare in investigating credible allegations of cockfighting in an East Tulsa neighborhood and rescuing at-risk roosters following a neighbor’s complaint and video evidence of sparring birds.
“We are grateful to Tulsa Animal Welfare and its officers for acting quickly on this report of animal cruelty,” said Kevin Chambers, Oklahoma state director of Animal Wellness Action and who is based in Tulsa. “Illegal animal fighting isn’t a harmless backyard hobby – it’s a violent, barbaric bloodsport that inflicts suffering on defenseless animals and corrodes the rule of law. Their decisive action to remove these birds from harm’s way and document evidence sets a positive standard for animal protection in Oklahoma.”
Cockfighting is a felony offense under Oklahoma and federal law, carrying significant criminal penalties. Animal Wellness Action urges local prosecutors to pursue all appropriate charges against individuals involved to the fullest extent of the law to deter future cruelty.
“Swift enforcement and strong prosecution are essential to ensure that animal cruelty laws have real teeth,” added Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “We urge Tulsa law enforcement to pursue this case aggressively, sending a clear message that cruel bloodsports have no place in the community.”
“Tulsa Animal Welfare’s report states that cockfighting gaffs were found in conjunction with the fighting roosters,” added Chambers. “That, and the video, are solid evidence of cockfighting and the keeping of fighting roosters with the intent to engage in cockfighting – felonies in Oklahoma.”
Animal Wellness Action calls on law-enforcement agencies in Texas and nationwide to endorse the FIGHT Act (S. 1454 / H.R. 3946), bipartisan federal legislation that would strengthen enforcement tools against illegal animal fighting. The Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association, Missouri Sheriffs’ Association, Kansas Sheriffs’ Association, and the New Mexico Sheriffs’ Association are among more than 1,050 endorsers of the FIGHT Act, which would increase penalties for repeat offenders, improve coordination among agencies, and enhance the ability of law enforcement to dismantle organized cockfighting and dogfighting networks. The legislation is pending in both chambers of Congress.
Animal Wellness Action looks forward to following this case as it proceeds through the courts and stands ready to support law enforcement and prosecutors in efforts to end cockfighting and other forms of organized animal cruelty.