Press Release The Republican sheriff has enforced the anti-cruelty laws, including a ban on staged animal fights, and the cockfighting community has tried to pressure him to stop. Tulsa, OK — Former two-term Republican Governor Frank Keating and Animal Wellness Action Oklahoma announced their official endorsements of Carter County Sheriff Chris Bryant for re-election in … Read more
Updates include prohibited practices and safety protocols, and go into effect July 8 Washington, D.C. — Animal wellness groups reacted to a new set of rules approved by the Federal Trade Commission for a Racetrack Safety Program, which was created under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). “We welcome these new standards as a major step … Read more
Louisiana still remains an outlier in refusing to join Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority program Washington, D.C. — Animal wellness groups support efforts by Churchill Downs Inc. to cancel the Louisiana Derby if the Louisiana Racing Commission does not fully rescind recent changes to its medication rules for race horses in that state. After … Read more
Animal cruelty on such a massive scale needs to be punished, but groups say policy reform to move forward with 21st Century non-animal testing is the essential long-term fix. Washington D.C. — Today, Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy applauded the largest ever fine in an Animal Welfare Act case. The fine was … Read more
State lawmakers conclude their work for the year and anti-cockfighting laws remain fully intact as cockfighters pivot and target sheriffs who enforce anti-cruelty laws. Oklahoma City — The legislative attempt to unwind Oklahoma’s voter-approved anti-cockfighting law crashed and burned at the state capitol in 2024, with the 59th Legislative session officially ending last week. A pro-cockfighting bill, HB … Read more
Louisiana remains an outlier in refusing to operate under Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority medication program; new rule shows that key horse racing stakeholders are addicted to doping horses Washington, D.C. — Animal wellness groups are condemning the Louisiana State Racing Commission for passing an “emergency rule” going into effect June 8 to reinforce … Read more
Press Release Melissa Handke’s Office, Cooperating with Sheriff Chris Bryant, Doesn’t Bend to Appeals by Cockfighting Advocates to Ignore the Rule of Law Carter County, OK — Animal Wellness groups are applauding Carter County District Attorney Melissa Handke’s Office for charging two residents with felonies for being alleged facilitators of a large-scale cockfight weeks ago. … Read more
Animal wellness groups declare China’s EATS (CHEATS) Act is a giveaway to America’s global rival that will double down on inhumane treatment of pigs. Washington, D.C. — Today, Wayne Pacelle criticized House Republican leaders for charging ahead with a partisan farm bill, H.R. 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, labeling it an attack on … Read more
Press Release Melissa Handke’s Office bends as Oklahoma cockfighting leader makes defamatory statements about her and sheriff’s deputies in the county Carter County, OK — Animal Wellness groups are questioning Carter County District Attorney Melissa Handke’s Office for not seeking the arrests of two alleged facilitators of a large-scale cockfight weeks ago when the local sheriff’s … Read more
Animal fighting is barbaric and is commingled with other crimes in Lancaster County and elsewhere Lancaster County, PA — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy reacted to Lancaster County authorities charging a woman with animal cruelty and animal fighting charges after discovering dozens of roosters housed in wooden coops with their … Read more