Our multi-pronged, multinational plan to break up animal fighting networks Of the 17 federal policy initiatives Animal Wellness Action has launched in this Congress, the FIGHT Act has attracted more support than any of them. That legislation has more than 1,050 endorsing agencies and organizations—from the Alabama Sheriffs’ Association to the Wyoming Sheriffs and Police … Read more
State’s leading law enforcement organization urges Florida’s entire congressional delegation to take swift action against combat dogfighting and cockfighting crimes TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Declaring that serious animal cruelty crimes demand stronger federal enforcement and coordination, Florida’s law enforcement community has united to endorse two anti-cruelty, anti-crime measures now being considered by Congress. The Florida Sheriffs’ Association is … Read more
Press Statement Tonopah, AZ — Animal Wellness Action today lauded the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for its decisive and professional response that led to the disruption of an illegal cockfighting ring on January 10 at a property near Tonopah. Deputies, responding to a welfare check called in by a concerned property owner, encountered an active … Read more
Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are condemning in the strongest possible terms a brazen effort by cockfighting advocates to resurrect an illegal blood sport in Louisiana – in this case by appealing to the St. Landry Parish council members to kick-start the process. Cockfighting is a … Read more
Press Release HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Animal Wellness Action applauds the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for its rapid and decisive response to a report from Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) of alleged rooster fighting in Crosby, Texas, resulting in the discovery of hundreds of live roosters and numerous deceased birds at a property where … Read more
Press Release WASHINGTON, D.C. — Showing that illegal animal fighting operations can be uncovered and dismantled anywhere in the United States, investigators with Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) worked this weekend with law enforcement officials in Roosevelt County, N.M., and South Haven, Mich., to expose and shut down cockfighting operations in … Read more
Napa, Calif. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy commended the Napa County Board of Supervisors for its unanimous passage of a new ordinance that will significantly tighten rooster ownership regulations across unincorporated areas of the county. The ordinance is designed to curb public nuisances, deter illegal cockfighting activity, and protect community … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action today applauded the MSPCA-Angell Law Enforcement and the Massachusetts State Police for executing a warrant as part of a successful investigation that led to the seizure of more than 60 birds from a suspected cockfighting operation in Springfield, Mass. “The MSPCA action sends a clear message that the Commonwealth will … Read more
The series of investigations uncover a massive organized criminal network of cockfighting farms, fighting pits, and fighting-animal shipping locations Odessa, Texas — Animal Wellness Action, the Center for a Humane Economy, and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) today released evidence from an undercover investigation conducted this past weekend that uncovered an extensive cockfighting operation in … Read more
Association representing sheriffs in all 10 Granite State counties urges congressional delegation to pass legislation to strengthen enforcement against cockfighting and dogfighting. CONCORD, N.H. — Declaring that staged animal fighting “remains a significant threat to public safety, animal welfare, and lawful commerce,” the New Hampshire Sheriff’s Association (NHSA) has formally endorsed the federal FIGHT Act, a … Read more
WASHINGTON — Animal Wellness Action applauds the swift and decisive action by Provo Police Department and other law enforcement agencies that led to the arrest of 17 individuals and the seizure of more than 50 dead roosters in a large-scale illegal cockfighting operation in Provo, Utah. According to police, officers initiated a welfare check at a … Read more
Etsy Removes Cockfighting Implements — but eBay Refuses to Act. After our investigators uncovered that Etsy was illegally allowing its platform to be used for trafficking cockfighting implements—razor-sharp weapons strapped to birds’ legs to intensify bloodletting and cruelty—the company responded and removed the contraband earlier this month. But our investigation uncovered an even more consequential … Read more
Press Statement HOUSTON — Animal Wellness Action commended law enforcement in Texas for taking decisive action this Thanksgiving weekend against barbaric and illegal animal-fighting operations. Officials at the Washington D.C.-based animal-welfare nonprofit saluted deputies in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office for their swift response to a tip about a cockfighting ring on Little York Road in … Read more
One more bust in the “Cockfighting Corridor” between Tulsa and Dallas ALVARADO, Texas — In the wake of a report last month that identified an extensive criminal network of illegal cockfighting operations clustered between Tulsa and Dallas, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office raided a Thanksgiving Day cockfighting derby in Alvarado, arresting 25 people and seizing more … Read more
Seven Arrested; More Than 30 Live Birds Seized in Connecticut Illegal Animal-Fighting Bust WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wayne Pacelle, a native of New Haven and now president of Animal Wellness Action, today praised the West Haven Police Department for swiftly dismantling an illegal cockfighting operation over the weekend, calling the incident a stark reminder that animal-fighting trafficking networks … Read more
45 Arrested in Newton County’s “Operation Pitbull” – Cash, Narcotics, and Firearms Seized AUSTIN, Texas — Animal Wellness Action today applauded the collaborative work of law enforcement authorities in Newton County, Texas for dismantling a large-scale dog-fighting operation in Newton County, calling the raid one of the most consequential dog-fighting enforcement actions in the state in … Read more
COOLIDGE, Ariz. — Animal Wellness Action today praised the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and its partners for securing 80 felony and misdemeanor indictments against two men charged in a widespread cockfighting operation uncovered by the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Gang and Immigration Intelligence Team Enforcement (GIITE). A Grand Jury indicted 60-year-old Samuel Felix and 61-year-old Gerald … Read more
Press Release Association representing all 77 sheriffs says it’s time to eradicate cockfighting in Oklahoma and has urged Oklahoma federal lawmakers to help pass FIGHT Act TULSA — Declaring that the FIGHT Act “provides urgently needed tools to combat the widespread and highly organized animal fighting that continues to threaten public safety, law and order, and … Read more
Animal protection groups say the platform is flouting federal law by hosting sales of deadly gaffs and knives used in illegal animal fights. By the Editors The online marketplace Etsy (NASDAQ: ETSY) is facing accusations from leading animal welfare groups that it is facilitating the illegal sale of cockfighting weapons, including razor-sharp gaffs and knives … Read more
Law enforcement’s decisive action in Hesperia and elsewhere sets model for eradicating animal fighting nationwide HESPERIA, Calif. — Animal Wellness Action today commended the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department for its decisive and tenacious series of actions to dismantling illegal cockfighting networks, with yet one more interdiction of illegal animal fighting this past weekend. The … Read more
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
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
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 enforcement seized … Read more
Press Statement EXPERT INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE 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 … 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
Blount County, AL — Federal, state, and local law enforcement raided a cockfighting pit on Saturday night where staged fights were in progress and rounded up 75 individuals in Blount County, Ala., including citizens illegally in the country and who were part of a cockfighting syndicate in the Yellowhammer State. Animal Wellness Action provided intelligence on … Read more
IBERIA PARISH, La. — A former Jeanerette police chief has charged with cock fighting in Beauregard Parish, according to Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office. Dusty Vallot, 39, of Lafayette, was arrested and charged with cockfighting and aggravated cruelty to animals, deputies said. There have been multiple cockfighting busts in Louisiana recently, underscoring the widespread underground animal fighting network … Read more
New calls for state investigations come after Anthony Devore and Blake Pearce were exposed for violating state and federal laws against cockfighting OKLAHOMA CITY — Animal Wellness Action is renewing its 2023 call for the Oklahoma Ethics Commission to launch a formal investigation into the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission’s disregard for Oklahoma campaign finance laws, with … Read more
Congress must act now to stop the criminal networks fueling animal fighting, violence, and disease threats You can listen to an AI-generated reading of this story here: Today, an extraordinarily diverse set of lawmakers — representing the entire political spectrum in America, from right to center to left — introduced the FIGHT Act in the … Read more
VERMILION PARISH, La. — A routine traffic stop in Vermilion Parish has resulted in felony animal cruelty and drug charges, after authorities discovered dozens of gamefowl, cockfighting paraphernalia, and narcotics inside a vehicle and trailer operated by Dion David Romero, according to local news reports. The case again underscores the widespread and barely concealed underground cockfighting network … Read more
Bipartisan legislation with 25 Republicans and 23 Democrats original cosponsors mirrors Senate bill and garners support from 800+ agencies and organizations, including the National Sheriffs’ Association, United Egg Producers, and American Gaming Association Washington, D.C. — In a legislative maneuver to crack down on the cruelty and organized crime associated with animal fighting, U.S. Representatives Don Bacon, … Read more
A political movement led by two Oklahoma cockfighters has spread across the nation, but can it continue with them documented on tape involved in cockfighting crimes? You can listen to an AI-generated reading of this story here: We knew all along that the two self-appointed national leaders of the effort to weaken our nation’s animal … Read more
Press Release Anthony Devore and Blake Pearce have raised money from other cockfighters across the nation to donate at least $70,000 to politicians in an attempt to decriminalize staged animal fights McIntosh County, OK — On successive weekends, undercover investigators with Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy recorded Anthony Devore and … Read more
CRAWFORD COUNTY, Ind. — Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, issued the following statement regarding the recent arrest of a Grantsburg couple in connection with illegal cockfighting activity uncovered following a vehicle incident in Harrison County: “Cockfighting is a grotesque and archaic form of cruelty that has … Read more
LOGAN COUNTY, Okla.— Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, issued the following statement regarding the Sunday, May 25, 2025, arrests of eight people in Logan County, Oklahoma, on charges related to cockfighting. “Cockfighting is a gruesome and senseless form of animal abuse, and it is rightly treated as a … Read more