Press Release These cockfighting operators have hatched a plan to try to decriminalize cockfighting in Arkansas and have lined up legislators to carry their pro-cockfighting legislation Little Rock, AR — Today, Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and its partner organizations released a damning investigation that reveals that illegal cockfighting is rampant in Arkansas, documenting that a … Read more
Detectives found fighting birds and a ring, and a training dummy at the Florida home Lee County, FL — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy today applauded the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for arresting a man who was running a cockfighting ring in the backyard of a home on Texas Road … Read more
Press Release Tulsa, oK — Animal Wellness Action today urged voters in Oklahoma House District 86 (Adair, Cherokee, and Delaware Counties) to reject David Hardin in his quest for reelection because of his full-throated support of cockfighting and a front group for cockfighting known as the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission. Animal Wellness Action urges voters in … Read more
Law enforcement hit cockfight in Van Zandt — just the latest in a string of cockfighting busts occurring throughout the state Van Zandt County, TX — After a recent bust in Van Zandt County, Texas, animal welfare groups applauded local law enforcement officials for their work to shut down a suspected cockfighting ring. It is … Read more
National Sheriffs Assoc., National District Attorneys Assoc., state sheriffs’ associations, and hundreds of county sheriffs and DAs demand Congress pass legislation to step up enforcement and end barbaric, crime-infested fighting syndicates Washington, D.C. — Led by the National Sheriffs’ Association and the National District Attorneys’ Association, law enforcement groups across the United States are calling on … Read more
Organization calls for stronger laws to deter animal fighting and alleviate the burden on law enforcement Washington, D.C. — Today, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy issued a statement in response to news that six men were arraigned and charged with multiple violations of the Animal Welfare Act in the U.S. … Read more
Douglas Moorfield Jr. was found with scarred dogs, execution tools, blood-stained carpets from decades-old fighting ring. (Washington, D.C.) – Leaders of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy applauded the federal government for charging and securing a guilty plea from former Pentagon official and Department of Defense senior communications staffer Frederick Douglass … Read more
After nearly 60 dogs found in suspected large-scale operation, new laws needed to deal with the epidemic of dogfighting and cockfighting Tyler, TX — Animal welfare groups renewed their urgent appeal to Congress to pass the FIGHT Act after dozens of dogs were found in an alleged dogfighting operation, with many of them injured or … Read more
You can listen to this article here: Last week, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit unanimously upheld a U.S. District Court dismissal of a legal challenge by a cockfighter and former local politician seeking to nullify the application of the national animal fighting law in the Northern Mariana Islands — an archipelago … Read more
Police photos show demure animal with multiple wounds, visible trauma Washington D.C. — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy will grant a $2,500 reward for credible information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for using an abandoned dog as a possible “bait dog” found by … Read more
Infant killed by fentanyl as parents ran dogfighting operations out of home, cops say. Charelston, SC — Animal welfare groups renewed their urgent appeal to Congress to pass the FIGHT Act after news that the alleged operators of a dogfighting ring in South Carolina allowed their 10-month-daughter to be killed by exposure to fentanyl, the … Read more
Appellate Court Ruling Should Close Out Discussion on Application of Federal Law to CNMI, Guam, and Puerto Rico Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a District Court dismissal of a legal challenge by a cockfighter and former Northern Mariana Islands local politician and executive agency official seeking to nullify the application of … Read more
Press Release Animal welfare groups says voters showed public sentiment remains strong against weakening the state’s anti-cockfighting laws Tulsa, OK — The results are in for the August 27 primary run-off elections in Oklahoma, and overall, some major pro-cockfighting candidates went down to defeat. This will have the effect of cementing the overwhelming opposition of … Read more
Press Release Group urges voters in Senate District 33 to vote for ‘anyone but Shelley Gwartney’ in the August 27th run-off primary. Tulsa, OK — Animal Wellness Action today urged Republican primary voters in Oklahoma Senate District 33 (Broken Arrow, Tulsa) to reject Shelley Gwartney in her quest for that seat because of her full-throated acceptance … Read more
Tennessee law enforcement joins National Sheriffs’ and hundreds of other agencies and organizations in signaling illegal animal fighting is rampant and must be pulled up at the roots Washington, D.C. — National animal-welfare groups applauded the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association (TSA) for endorsing the FIGHT Act in Congress and urging the state’s U.S. Senators and Representatives … Read more
Federal and county law enforcement taking on more cases, breaking up more cockfighting and dogfighting rings Riverside, CA — Leaders of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy praised the FBI for its Sunday break-up of a cockfighting ring in the Inland Empire, exercising a federal anti-animal fighting law that can deliver … Read more
Sheriffs organizations nationwide have swung behind a national bill called the FIGHT Act to provide more tools for law enforcement to crack down on animal-fighting crimes Buckley, WA — The recent raid on an abandoned building in Pierce county, Wash., revealed evidence — including 140 roosters — of a massive cockfighting ring in Buckley, and … Read more
Press Release Major bust in Granville County may lead to unraveling a larger cockfighting network providing fighting birds to illegal pits throughout North Carolina and trafficking of fighting animals to Mexico and to other far-off outposts Granville County, NC — The cockfighting bust led by the Granville County Sheriff’s Office has produced evidence of involvement … Read more
Granville County bust this weekend offers a window into the ongoing lawlessness of illegal animal fighters, who are often tied to other crimes Granville County, NC — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy report that a major cockfighting bust over the weekend with dozens of arrests, 200 roosters removed, buckets of … Read more
Case offers another indicator of the need for federal law to eradicate illegal staged animal fighting, animal welfare groups say Wausau, WI — Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, offered this statement on news that a Wausau man convicted in a cockfighting scheme is now facing federal … Read more
Colorado District Attorneys’ Association has swung behind a national bill, called the FIGHT Act, to provide more tools for law enforcement to crack down on animal-fighting crimes. Denver—The weekend arrest of an Adams County man on cockfighting-related charges underscores the persistence of cockfighting and highlights the need for robust enforcement and perfection of federal and … Read more
Gruesome incident is another indicator of the need for federal law to eradicate illegal staged animal fighting, animal welfare groups say Santa Cruz County, California — Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, applauded the work of Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office for uncovering a cockfighting ring with … Read more
The FIGHT Act is one major remedy for rampant animal fighting and the cluster crimes commingled with it. You can listen to this article here: Cockfighting is a multi-billion global crime network, with U.S.-based cockfighters at the center of the whole enterprise, feeding birds to fighting arenas in our homeland and around the world. Mexico … Read more
National Sheriffs’ Association, National District Attorneys Association, American Gaming Association, and United Egg Producers are among nearly 600 endorsers of bipartisan FIGHT Act (Washington D.C.) — The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) this week endorsed federal legislation designed to strengthen enforcement of our nation’s anti-dogfighting and anti-cockfighting laws and to crack down on related offenses. The association, on behalf … Read more
Press Release Police seized four distressed dogs in ‘feces-infested kennels,’ arrested potential nationally known dogfighter in connection. Louisville, KY — With a nationally known dogfighter just arrested in the state, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy are calling on state and federal lawmakers from Kentucky to do more to crack down … Read more
Kansas law enforcement has swung behind a national bill, called the FIGHT Act, to provide more tools for law enforcement to crack down on animal-fighting crimes Topeka, KS — The weekend arrest of a Shawnee County man on cockfighting-related charges underscores the need for a national law to end the enduring scourge of animal fighting, … Read more
Press Release The Republican sheriff has enforced the anti-cruelty laws, including a ban on staged animal fights, and the cockfighting community has tried to pressure him to stop. Tulsa, OK — Former two-term Republican Governor Frank Keating and Animal Wellness Action Oklahoma announced their official endorsements of Carter County Sheriff Chris Bryant for re-election in … Read more
State lawmakers conclude their work for the year and anti-cockfighting laws remain fully intact as cockfighters pivot and target sheriffs who enforce anti-cruelty laws. Oklahoma City — The legislative attempt to unwind Oklahoma’s voter-approved anti-cockfighting law crashed and burned at the state capitol in 2024, with the 59th Legislative session officially ending last week. A pro-cockfighting bill, HB … Read more
Press Release Melissa Handke’s Office, Cooperating with Sheriff Chris Bryant, Doesn’t Bend to Appeals by Cockfighting Advocates to Ignore the Rule of Law Carter County, OK — Animal Wellness groups are applauding Carter County District Attorney Melissa Handke’s Office for charging two residents with felonies for being alleged facilitators of a large-scale cockfight weeks ago. … Read more
Press Release Melissa Handke’s Office bends as Oklahoma cockfighting leader makes defamatory statements about her and sheriff’s deputies in the county Carter County, OK — Animal Wellness groups are questioning Carter County District Attorney Melissa Handke’s Office for not seeking the arrests of two alleged facilitators of a large-scale cockfight weeks ago when the local sheriff’s … Read more
Animal fighting is barbaric and is commingled with other crimes in Lancaster County and elsewhere Lancaster County, PA — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy reacted to Lancaster County authorities charging a woman with animal cruelty and animal fighting charges after discovering dozens of roosters housed in wooden coops with their … Read more
The Nutmeg State not immune to dogfighting, cockfighting, as Congress considers the FIGHT Act Waterbury, CT — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy reacted to eight arrests following police officers busting an alleged cockfighting ring in a large garage in Waterbury, where officers witnessed the staged fights and the illegal gambling … Read more
Without a strong state anti-cockfighting law, or proper enforcement of the federal anti-fighting law, staged animal fights will continue in Hawaii and the cockfighters will continue to take their chances. Honolulu, HI — Leaders of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy reacted today to the latest cockfighting-related arrests in Hawaii — … Read more
More enforcement, more arrests for barbaric cockfighting activities signal the prevalence of this animal cruelty problem, bound up with other crimes Austin, TX — According to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, 200 roosters, along with drugs and guns, were seized during a cockfighting ring bust on Saturday that led to arrests and citations for 50 … Read more
PRESS Statement EXPERT INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE Acting on a tip from SHARK, KSP responded and made arrests, marking their latest action to enforce the state’s anti-cruelty law Louisville, KY — Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) are applauding the work of Kentucky State Police for their fast action in charging 14 men … Read more
Her vote for animal fighting is one more past indicator of her contempt for animal welfare norms in our society. Washington, D.C. — Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, offered further reaction to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s recent revelation that two decades ago she shot and … Read more
More than 500 agencies and organizations endorse bill to eradicate animal fighting nationwide Washington D.C. — Animal Wellness Action is pleased to announce that the Minnesota Sheriffs’ Association has joined more than 500 organizations and agencies calling on Congress — with a specific appeal to Minnesota’s U.S. Senators and Representatives — to pass the FIGHT Act to eradicate … Read more
Press Release While a single arrest has been made so far, the whole cast of characters must be apprehended to deter rampant cockfighting in the Sooner State. Carter County, OK — Acting on a tip from Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) and Animal Wellness Action — with personnel on the scene of the crime … Read more
Cockfighters continue to act with an impunity, raising millions of birds and staging fights throughout the U.S. Washington D.C. — After a recent nationwide surge of busts and other police responses related to cockfighting, animal-welfare groups today highlighted their call for passage of the FIGHT Act as a tool to eradicate animal fighting in the … Read more
Bust shines light on much-needed FIGHT Act in Congress to crack down on barbaric crime Turlock, CA — Animal Wellness Action praised the Turlock Police Department for arresting two people for multiple charges, including possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen loaded firearm, felons in possession of ammunition, possession of a controlled substance with a loaded … Read more
Animal Wellness Action says latest raid in New Jersey demonstrates underscores value for passage of new, sweeping federal FIGHT ACT led by New Jersey’s Cory Booker. New York — Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy applauded state and federal authorities for their collaborative work on the latest crackdown in New Jersey … Read more
Congress also considering landmark legislation to allow citizens to supplement federal law enforcement actions against criminal syndicates involved in staged animal fighting. Birmingham, AL — Animal Wellness Action today applauded officials for charging an Alabama man in connection to an illegal dogfighting ring he allegedly ran at three properties across the state. This is the … Read more
Congress also considering landmark legislation to allow citizens to supplement federal law enforcement actions against criminal syndicates involved in staged animal fighting. Boston, MA — Animal Wellness Action paused over the Easter Weekend to credit authorities for bringing federal charges against a Massachusetts man for illegal dogfighting activities. He was arrested on nine counts of … Read more
Monterey County has a history of rampant illegal cockfighting Monterey, Calif. — Animal Wellness Action reacted to news of Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies discovering what appears to be a large scale breeding facility of 350 birds for cockfighting. A Salinas man is facing charges for cockfighting. “Monterey County has had a history of rampant illegal … Read more
Reports led to animal seizures; another indicator of the need for federal law Galveston, Texas — Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, applauded the Galveston Police for a cockfighting bust where nearly 100 birds were seized in what appears to have been a large-scale cockfighting operation. Details … Read more
Commissioner Stoney Greene, implicated in extensive dogfighting activities in his past, resigns as commission chairman and backs strengthening federal law against all forms of animal fighting Wilkesboro, NC — Tonight the Board of Commissioners for Wilkes County unanimously approved a resolution to endorse the FIGHT Act, H.R. 2742/S. 1529, and to recommend that North Carolina’s … Read more
Florida Rep. Michael Bilirakis, along with 10 other U.S. House members from the state, have cosponsored the FIGHT Act in Congress Homosassa, FL — Animal Wellness Action praised Citrus County Sheriff’s Office deputies for arresting a 51-year-old man for animal fighting, according to a Facebook Post from the sheriff’s office. Deputies at the man’s home found and seized 26 … Read more
52 arrests, 50 roosters found (some in bags), dogs in inhumane conditions seized along with $37K cash Galloway Township, N.J. — In the wake of a massive bust on area cockfighters, Wayne Pacelle of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy is calling on members of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation to double … Read more
Cockfighting and dogfighting are cruel, widespread, and tangled up with other crimes Washington, D.C. — In a letter to President Biden, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas, D-Ore., called on his administration to endorse the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act to crack down on the barbaric and lawless practices of dogfighting and cockfighting from Puerto … Read more
Press Release Louisville, KY — Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) publicly endorsed SB 243, by Sen. Greg Elkins, R-Winchester, to make cockfighting a felony in Kentucky. “In addition to playing host to an extraordinary number of fighting arenas, Kentucky is at the center of the American and global cockfighting industry, with major … Read more