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 Release 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 Rock Township. Deputies … 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