Etsy stopped selling cockfighting implements after we alerted them, but eBay continues to break federal, California law by trafficking in contraband 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 … Read more
Animal Fighting is the Pits
BUsiness of Animal Welfare Center for a Humane Economy demands online marketplace stop trafficking in deadly, illicit implements By Staff Writers At the height of the holiday shopping season, an investigation by the Center for a Humane Economy has found that eBay is openly hosting illegal cockfighting weapons and animal-fighting equipment, violating federal law and its … 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
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
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
Press Release 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 … Read more
Press Release 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 its swift action … 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