The HSUS Assists in Dismantling Massive Suspected Cockfighting Operation in Mississippi

	©The HSUS
	Authorities seized 225 roosters from a suspected cockfighting operation in Olive Branch, Miss.

Authorities seized 225 birds on Friday, as The Humane Society of the United States joined the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department to shut down a suspected cockfighting operation in Olive Branch, Miss.

Ninety-five hens and chicks seized from the property are on their way to sanctuaries in Va., Md. and N.C. The fighting cocks were humanely euthanized at the location due to their high levels of aggression. The birds were bred and trained to fight, and the birds had their combs cut off and their spurs sharpened or cut off—all typical of fighting operations.

A Collaborative Effort

"With this collaborative action with The Humane Society of the United States, the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department successfully put this suspected cockfighter out of business. We are enormously grateful to Sheriff Bill Rasco and his staff for taking a strong stand against cockfighting and exhibiting such professionalism," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States.

"Mississippi has an anemic cockfighting law, and it is past time to strengthen the law to eradicate this cruel and unacceptable activity."

Mississippi has the second weakest cockfighting law in the nation with a fine of no more than $100 and/or up to 100 days of imprisonment. Such weak penalties do little to deter cockfighters, who stand to win thousands of dollars in gambling profits at a single "derby." There is no state ban on possessing or breeding fighting birds. There is, however, a strong federal law that makes fighting, breeding and possessing fighting animals a felony.

A Legislative Fix

Miss. Rep. Cecil Brown, D-Jackson, introduced legislation to fix this problem by making cockfighting a felony, as it is in 37 other states. H.B. 1216, which has been assigned to the House Agriculture Committee, would make cockfighting and possessing a bird with intent to fight punishable by a maximum $5,000 fine and/or one to three years of imprisonment.

©The HSUS
Proposed felony cockfighting legislation seeks to end the suffering of fighting birds in the Magnolia state.

Additionally, the bill would also punish cockfighting spectators, who fuel the blood sport with their admission fees, with a fine of up to $5,000 fine and/or no more than one year of imprisonment.

"I am pleased that we were able to shut down this suspected cockfighting operation," said Desoto County Sheriff Bill Rasco.

"Stronger laws are still needed to send the message that the residents of DeSoto County will not tolerate the cruel and illegal cockfighting industry."

Felony cockfighting legislation has also been introduced in neighboring Ark. and Tenn. The Ark. state Senate unanimously passed S.B. 77, a cruelty bill that includes felony cockfighting language and has bright prospects of passing in the Ark. House of Representatives. In Tenn., Sen. Bill Ketron, R-Murfreesboro, and Rep. Debra Young Maggart, R-Hendersonville, will be introducing felony cockfighting bills during the current legislative session.

What You Can Do

Ask your state legislators to support H.B. 1216, the proposed legislation to bring Mississippi in line with 37 other states that have made cockfighting a felony offense.

Related Links

Cockfighting

Cockfighting and Related Crimes

Cockfighting Fact Sheet

Ranking of State Cockfighting Laws

State Cockfighting Laws

Sample Letter to the Editor about Cockfighting