MARENGO, Ill. — Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, issued the following statement regarding the recent arrest in Marengo, Illinois, on charges related to cockfighting and animal cruelty:
“Cockfighting is a gruesome and senseless form of animal abuse, and it is rightly treated as a felony under Illinois and federal law,” Pacelle said. “These fights are not only a spectacle of suffering, but they’re also often tied to gambling, narcotics, and other forms of criminal behavior that undermine community safety. We need vigorous enforcement and stronger legal tools to root out this cruelty wherever it occurs.”
This arrest underscores the persistent presence of animal fighting ventures in our communities, despite being outlawed. It is imperative that law enforcement agencies continue to prioritize the enforcement of animal cruelty laws to protect both animals and public safety.
“We urge lawmakers to support measures like the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, which would provide additional tools to combat animal fighting and related crimes,” added Pacelle. “Together, we can work towards ending these inhumane practices and promoting a more compassionate society.”
Legislation in Congress: S. 1454 — the FIGHT Act
Animal Wellness Action is urging Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, as well as members of the Illinois congressional delegation, to cosponsor the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking Act, or FIGHT Act, led by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., and Cory Booker, D.N.J., and Reps. Don Bacon, R-Neb., Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., and Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon. The legislation is endorsed by the National Sheriffs’ Association, the National District Attorneys’ Association, the United Egg Producers, and the American Gaming Association.
A fact sheet on the FIGHT Act is available here.