WASHINGTON, D.C. — Noting that cockfighting remains a pervasive form of organized criminal activity tied to gambling, narcotics, and weapons offenses, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today commended the Virginia Beach Police Department for executing a significant enforcement action that resulted in the seizure of 213 birds suspected of being bred … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Noting that California may have more illegal cockfighting operations than any other state – with as many as 8 million birds, according to a prior report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today commended the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action today praised the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office and collaborating agencies for their coordinated raid on a suspected dogfighting operation that resulted in the rescue of over 40 dogs and felony charges against three individuals. “Dogfighting is as barbaric as humans can get, and we applaud the work of law enforcement … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today praised the Kentucky Sheriffs’ Association for endorsing the bipartisan Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, federal legislation designed to crack down on dogfighting and cockfighting rings that continue to operate across the United States, including in Kentucky, a national hotbed … Read more
Johnson is a repeat offender, and the jury rejected his false claim that he was simply a dog breeder. Possession of animals for fighting purposes is a felony under both state and federal law. WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action today applauded the federal jury’s guilty verdict in the case of former NFL player LeShon … Read more
Press Release Yet the sheriff’s office failed to investigate after field investigators with the organizations reported malicious abuse at a cockfighting derby, missing a chance to apprehend dozens involved in felony cruelty and other crimes in Allegan County last Saturday. Allegan, Mich. — Reacting to an investigation on Saturday conducted by their field personnel that includes … Read more
Press Release ATHENS, TX — Acting on a tip from Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK), the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office raided a major cockfighting operation near Athens on Sunday, July 13th. Authorities disrupted an illegal cockfighting event attended by an estimated 200–300 people, many of whom fled the scene on foot through nearby woods. Law … Read more
Press Release MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas — After conducting an undercover investigation on the evening of July 4 of a cockfighting derby in progress and tipping local authorities to the illegal event, Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) today issued a joint statement applauding the Titus County Sheriff’s Office for its swift action … Read more
Press Release The two organizations uncovered an enormous derby in March at the same location, but no action was taken at that event. The groups also documented two other cockfighting derbies in Kaufman County on July 5 Mount Pleasant, Texas — Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) applauded the Titus County Sheriff … Read more
TULSA, Okla. – Animal Wellness Action is calling on federal, state and Cherokee Nation law enforcement authorities to bring criminal charges against the top officials of the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission (OGC) and a cockfight pit owner following damning video evidence showing their participation in two illegal cockfighting events in McIntosh County in June 2025. Animal Wellness Action also sent … Read more