New investigative report ties rural cockfighting empire to felons and international crime rings WASHINGTON, D.C. — A blistering new report released today by Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) exposes a vast criminal enterprise spanning from Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Dallas, Texas, centered around cockfighting but bound together with illegal gambling, narcotics trafficking, … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Animal Wellness Action today thanked the Maine Prosecutors’ Association and Maine Sheriffs’ Association for endorsing the bipartisan FIGHT Act (Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Animal Trafficking Act, H.R. 3946 / S.1454) — landmark legislation designed to give federal, state, and local authorities the tools they need to dismantle organized dogfighting and cockfighting operations nationwide. In … Read more
Press Statement EXPERT INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE KENDALL COUNTY, Ill. — Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) commended the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office for executing a major operation that resulted in the recovery of more than 400 fighting birds and the arrest of three individuals in connection with an alleged cockfighting enterprise in Little … Read more
SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, Calif. — Animal Wellness Action, along with the Center for a Humane Economy, today applauds the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office and its partners for successfully dismantling a criminal cockfighting operation in Piñon Hills, seizing dozens of birds, weapons, and other evidence of illegal activity. This enforcement action underscores the continuing commitment of … Read more
Organization notes that Texas is a hot spot for cockfighting with its border with Mexico and three states (LA, NM, OK) that were the last states to outlaw the practice WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today commended the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Laredo Police Department Special Operations … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.c. – Animal Wellness Action today commended the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association for formally endorsing the bipartisan FIGHT Act (Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Animal Trafficking Act, H.R. 3946 / S.1454)—landmark legislation designed to give law enforcement the tools it needs to dismantle organized dogfighting and cockfighting operations nationwide. In a letter to Sen. Angela Alsobrooks, the Association spotlighted … Read more
Animal Wellness Action applauds Oklahoma Ethics Commission for disbanding DeVore-created pro-cockfighting organization and fines the group $10,000 WASHINGTON, D.C. — Oklahoma’s leading public advocate for cockfighting has run into legal trouble with two Oklahoma enforcement entities — with the McIntosh County District Attorney filing charges against Anthony DeVore for illegal cockfighting activities and the Oklahoma Ethics Commission meting out … Read more
Groups say online marketplace for handmade and vintage goods should not be trafficking cockfighting gaffs – a felony offense under federal law WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action have issued a formal demand letter to Etsy, the popular web-based marketplace for handmade and vintage goods, urging the company … Read more
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today applauded the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors for considering an ordinance to regulate rooster ownership, a measure designed to curb illegal cockfighting, reduce noise disruptions, and promote responsible animal care. Both organizations look forward to assisting county officials through public testimony, … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action today commended the Oakland Police Department and Alameda County prosecutors for their recent raid on a suspected cockfighting operation in the city’s Elmhurst neighborhood. Police executing a July 31 search warrant at a residence reportedly found malnourished roosters, cockfighting implements such as metal gaffes and spur-cutting scissors, protective gear, number … Read more