Humane Society of the United States Officials on Site to Confiscate Fighting Birds, Paraphernalia. Arrests Made For Gambling and Animal Fighting
WASHINGTON—Yesterday morning, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, along with The Humane Society of the United States and the Spartanburg Humane Society, raided what is believed to be one of the nation's largest cockfighting pits and arrested 144 participants for illegal gambling and cockfighting, seizing $40,000 in cash. The agents executed the search warrant at the "Del Rio" cockfighting pit in Cocke County, Tennessee, causing the participants to abandon more than 305 gamecocks and other evidence of animal fighting.
Del Rio is reportedly owned by Don and Donna Poteat, the former president and current secretary of the United Gamefowl Breeders Association (UGBA), respectively. The UGBA is a tax-exempt organization that represents the interests of cockfighters nationwide, even though cockfighting is a crime in 48 states. The HSUS has asked the IRS to revoke the UGBA's tax-free status because it promotes illegal activities. The UGBA has, since 2001, hired a federal lobbyist in Washington, D.C. to work to impede the progress of national anti-animal fighting legislation.
Del Rio is reputed to be the largest and likely the oldest cockfighting pit in the country, having been in operation for more than 60 years. According to law enforcement, hundreds of cockfighters regularly come from all over the country to fight their birds and gamble on the matches at Del Rio. The local football team at Cocke County High School is called the "Fighting Cocks".
Cockfighting is a misdemeanor in Tennessee, punishable by 11 months and 29 days in jail and a $2,500 fine. It is a misdemeanor in 16 states, a felony in 32 and legal in two states, Louisiana and New Mexico. Since 2002, a federal law has prohibited any interstate or foreign transport of fighting animals. Law enforcement authorities reported license plates from many surrounding states at the event Saturday.
"This dramatic action against the largest illegal cockfighting pit in the country is just the latest blow to the multi-million dollar cockfighting industry, which perpetuates severe animal cruelty and other crimes such as interstate gambling and drug dealing," said John Goodwin, deputy manager for animal fighting issues with The Humane Society of the United States. "The message is clear that law enforcement is no longer willing to turn a blind eye to the barbaric practice of animal fighting and the crimes that come with it. Cockfighters everywhere should read the writing on the wall and give up their criminal activities."
Animal handlers from The HSUS' headquarters in Washington and regional office in Tallahassee, in addition to officials with the Spartanburg Humane Society, participated in the search and seizure at the Del Rio property.
Yesterday's bust at Del Rio is part of a recent sweep of law enforcement actions against cockfighting nationwide. Since March, there have been six significant cockfighting busts across the country, including one in Kentucky in which more than 500 individuals were cited, and another in California that resulted in 28 arrests. In Hawaii, six police officers are under investigation for their alleged role in illegal cockfighting.
In order to toughen the penalties for animal fighting nationwide, U.S. Representative Mark Green of Wisconsin earlier this year introduced H.R. 817, which would elevate the violation of the federal animal fighting law from a misdemeanor to a felony crime. The legislation would also prohibit interstate and foreign commerce in cockfighting paraphernalia – the special knives and gaffes that cockfighters strap to birds' legs prior to the fight. Just last month, its companion bill, S. 382, passed the U.S. Senate with little dissent and with White House Support. North Carolina Congressman Howard Coble chairs the subcommittee to which the House bill has been assigned, but up until now, there has been little movement on H.R. 817. Rep. William Jenkins (R-TN) represents the Congressional district where the bust occurred, and he has opposed legislation in the past to upgrade penalties for animal fighting.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization representing more than nine million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animal welfare. The HSUS protects all animals through education, investigation, litigation, legislation, advocacy, and field work. The group is based in Washington and has numerous field representatives across the country.
