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Statement from Wayne Pacelle on Cockfighting Arrest for Ex-Police Chief in Louisiana

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 that continues to operate in the state.

The case comes as the senior U.S. Senator from Louisiana, Republican John Kennedy, advances his FIGHT Act legislation at the national level.  His bill is S. 1454, and U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-La., is an original cosponsor of the companion bill, H.R. 3946.

Vallot resigned from the role as Jeanerette police chief back in December 2024 and then was hired as an Iberia Parish sheriff deputy. The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed with a local news outlet that Vallot is no longer their employee.

Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, is calling for aggressive prosecution under Louisiana’s anti-cockfighting law, which makes both possession of fighting birds and paraphernalia a felony.

“It’s especially distressing when a former law enforcement officer treats the law with contempt and violates Louisiana’s strict anti-cockfighting law,” said Pacelle.  “Louisiana was the last state to forbid the practice, but support for the legislation from Republicans and Democrats across the state was nearly unanimous.  Credit to the Beauregard Parish Sheriff’s Office for enforcing the law without fear or favor.”

Cockfighting is a felony under Louisiana law, as well as under the federal Animal Welfare Act, which prohibits fighting animals from being sold, transported, or used in interstate commerce. Possession of gaffs and other implements is also prohibited.

The federal FIGHT Act has been endorsed by 800+ agencies and organizations, including the National Sheriffs Association and the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. 

A fact sheet on the FIGHT Act is available here.

Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @AWAction_News

Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @TheHumaneCenter

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