It is rare moment when a nation enacts wholesale prohibitions upon a widespread, lucrative form of animal exploitation. Today, after decades of campaigning to deliver that outcome, I’m pleased to report the enterprise of cockfighting – an ages-old form of staged animal combat that held on as a semi-legal activity in a handful of enclaves … Read more
Animal Fighting is the Pits
Appeals exhausted, cockfighters in Puerto Rico, and also in Guam, are legally obligated to cease staged animal fights and follow the law Washington, D.C. – Without comment, the U.S. Supreme Court yesterday denied a writ of certiorari from political leaders in Puerto Rico seeking relief from a federal law that bans cockfighting there and in … Read more
AWA Investigation Shows Brisk Movement of Fighting Animals to Mexico, Close Associations with Major Alabama Cockfighting Players New Mexico continues to be a major hub for cockfighting, with a network of cockfighters staging fights at pits in the Land of Enchantment, according to a 21-page investigative report released days ago by Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and the … Read more
Several New Mexicans are doing business with Alabama cockfighters targeted in federal probe Washington, D.C. – Though lawmakers outlawed the practice 14 years ago, New Mexico continues to be a major hub for cockfighting, with a network of cockfighters staging fights at pits and trafficking animals for fights across state and national lines, according to … Read more
Announcement Comes After Solid Evidence Emerges of Illegal Fighting and Mass Transports of Fighting Animals to the Island WASHINGTON, D.C. — Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and the Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF) have renewed their offer of a $5,000 reward to any individual providing information leading to the federal prosecution and conviction of any individual involved in illegal … Read more
“We have solid evidence that fighting birds are being shipped to Guam. The government of Guam has a duty to examine our findings and no longer play a role as intermediary in these felony violations of the law.” WASHINGTON, D.C. — The two top shippers of fighting roosters to Guam in 2021 – Bill McNatt (750 birds) … Read more
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The illegal movement of fighting animals from U.S. states to Guam has dramatically increased during the first six months of this year, according to shipping records from the Guam Department of Agriculture (GDOA) recently obtained and reviewed by Animal Wellness Action (AWA) and the Animal Wellness Foundation (AWF). There was an increase in … Read more
Puerto Rico, Guam political leaders abetting illegal cockfighting A key portion of the Animal Welfare Act (Act) has weathered multiple legal challenges from cockfighters and dogfighters who argued that the federal government lacks the authority to restrict animal fighting. Each of the five amendments to Section 26 of the Act (relating to “animal fighting ventures”) … Read more
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Supreme Court should deny a writ of certiorari, filed on June 11th, from a coalition of illegal cockfighting enthusiasts in Puerto Rico and allow a series of unanimous federal court rulings to stand that declare that no part of the United States should be a refuge for staged animal fights. … Read more
Spectators stir, unroll wads of cash, and finish up their side bets as a pulley lowers two roosters in a partitioned plastic cage from the ceiling and into a center pit. That pit is encircled by dozens of men standing 10 rows deep, behind a two-foot-high wall. It’s a steeply sloped arena, so that all … Read more