Oklahoma City, Okla. – Animal Wellness Action today praised the Oklahoma City Police Department for the arrest of Jesus Arturo Chavez Nunez on multiple charges related to alleged cockfighting activities, including maintaining facilities for cockfighting and possessing birds for fighting purposes.
According to arrest records, Chavez Nunez was arrested by the Oklahoma City Police Department on June 14, 2026, and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center. The charges include:
- Keeping a place, equipment, or facilities for cockfighting;
- Owning, possessing, keeping, or training birds for fighting;
- Proceeds derived from violation of state statute; and
- Carrying a weapon, drugs, or alcohol into jail.
Animal Wellness Action commended Oklahoma City law enforcement for taking decisive action against an activity that is illegal under both Oklahoma law and federal law.
“Cockfighting is a form of organized crime and it is a savage form of animal cruelty,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “We commend the Oklahoma City Police Department for treating this crime seriously and for disrupting an operation that allegedly exploited animals for violent entertainment and financial gain.”
Cockfighting has been illegal in Oklahoma for more than two decades, and the state has some of the strongest anti-cockfighting laws in the nation. Animal fighting enterprises frequently involve the breeding and trafficking of animals, illegal gambling operations, and the movement of large sums of cash.
Kevin Chambers, Oklahoma state director for Animal Wellness Action, said the arrest demonstrates the importance of sustained law enforcement vigilance.
“We are grateful to the Oklahoma City Police Department for their commitment to enforcing Oklahoma’s animal-cruelty laws,” said Chambers. “Every successful investigation sends a message that organized animal fighting will not be tolerated in our communities. We encourage prosecutors to pursue these charges vigorously and to continue dismantling the networks that profit from animal suffering.”
Animal Wellness Action noted that Oklahoma continues to face challenges from organized cockfighting operations despite the state’s strong laws. The organization urged citizens to report suspected animal-fighting activities to local law enforcement and reminded the public that cockfighting is a felony offense that inflicts extreme suffering on animals while fostering broader criminal conduct.
The Animal Wellness Action tip line is tips@animalwellnessaction.org