The Humane Society of the United States Praises Navarro County Sheriff's Department for Cockfighting Bust

August 18, 2008

 Case Demonstrates that Cockfighting Law in Texas Needs Strengthening

The Humane Society of the United States applauds the Navarro County Sheriff's Department for the successful raid of a cockfighting arena at a farm near Corsicana, Texas. According to news reports, authorities cited more than 60 people for gambling and the two pit owners were arrested for animal cruelty. About 150 fighting birds and $16,000 in cash was seized.    

"This case highlights the severe deficiency of the cockfighting law in Texas, which allows the criminals who fuel this inhumane activity to get away with no more than a slap on the wrist," said John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for The HSUS. "We commend the Navarro County Sheriff's Department for taking cockfighting seriously and putting criminals who stage this cruel activity out of business, and we hope the sheriff's hard work will prompt the state legislature to put teeth into the state's cockfighting prohibition."

Cockfighting is illegal in all states and it is a felony in Texas, punishable by up to two years of imprisonment and/or a maximum $10,000 fine. Texas law neither penalizes people for possessing birds for fighting nor for being a spectator at a cockfight, which are two essential components of cockfighting. Spectators at the Navarro County raid were charged with gambling, which carries a fine equivalent to a speeding ticket.

This was the second cockfighting raid in Navarro County this year. A larger raid in March led to the arrest of nearly 300 people along with the seizure of 300 birds and $150,000 in gambling money. With such large amounts of money on the line, many cockfighters view the current penalties as nothing more than the cost of doing business.

The HSUS offers rewards of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person involved in illegal animal fighting. 

Animal Fighting Reward Program Instructions:

• If you have information about illegal animal fighting, contact your local police department or animal control agency. If you wish to remain anonymous, you must inform the police officer you speak to. The HSUS protects the identity of anyone who contacts us with information about illegal animal fighting. 
• If the suspected animal fighter is convicted, ask the law enforcement agency involved in the case to write a letter to The HSUS.
• The letter should state that your tip helped lead to the arrest and prosecution of the convicted animal fighter and should be mailed or faxed as follows:

Animal Fighting Reward Program
C/O Ann Chynoweth
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St. NW
Washington, DC 20037
FAX: 301-721-6414

For more information about The HSUS' animal fighting reward program, call 301-258-1459.

About Cockfighting:

• Tens of thousands of people are involved in cockfighting nationwide.
• Common cockfighting practices include breeding birds for viciousness, drugging them to heighten aggression, and fitting their legs with razor-sharp knives or gaffs, which resemble curved ice picks.
• Law enforcement raids across the country have revealed that cockfights, which are frequently attended by children, often involve gambling and, as a result of the large amounts of cash present, firearms and other weapons are also present.
• Law enforcement officials have documented a strong connection between cockfighting and the distribution of illegal drugs. 

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the Web at humanesociety.org.