Kansas Cockfighting Raid Highlights Weak Law

	©The HSUS
	A seized rooster peers through cage bars after authorities raided a Johnson County, Kansas, property.

by Ariana Huemer

On June 25, 2008, HSUS staff joined Johnson County sheriff's deputies in busting a large cockfighting operation in a rural area near Olathe, Kansas. Along with over 200 birds bred for fighting, authorities seized tens of thousands of dollars and "truckloads of evidence."

Such a large operation should come as small surprise; Kansas is one of 13 states in the U.S. that does not provide for felony-level penalties for staged cockfights. Coupled with the fact that the states surrounding Kansas punish cockfighting as a felony, Kansas' relatively weak law makes it a magnet for illegal cockfighters shopping for the most favorable venue for their cruel hobby.

A Commendation for Law Enforcement

"The Johnson County Sheriff's Office should be commended for its investigation and raid of a large cockfighting operation that breeds only cruelty and crime," said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for The Humane Society of the United States. "This raid will send a strong message that cruelty will not be tolerated. But it's also a reminder that cockfighting occurs in Kansas, and lawmakers in Topeka should move quickly to strengthen penalties against this blood sport."

So far, two people have been arrested on cockfighting charges, and more charges may be forthcoming. "Gambling generally traverses state lines and jurisdictional boundaries and often involves bookies, Internet, telephone lines and so forth," Johnson County D.A. Phill Kline said. "So many times these investigations can lead to further investigations in federal involvement, and we'll explore that every time."

A Cruel Pastime

Neighbors witnessing the brouhaha were rightfully taken aback. One told local station KCTV-5, "Some people will argue the point and say that a chicken is a stupid animal and doesn't have that much feeling and everything else. Well, they aren't very smart, but they do have feeling. It tortures them. I mean, they suffer. It's a cruel death."

With every state bordering Kansas making cockfighting a felony, it is hoped that Kansas lawmakers will agree with these sentiments and move forward in passing a felony cockfighting law in the state.

Ariana Huemer is cruelty case manager for The Humane Society of the United States. 

Related Links

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