In a cockfight, two roosters fight each other to the death while people place bets. Cockfighters let the birds suffer untreated injuries or throw the birds away like trash afterwards. Besides being cruel, cockfighting often goes hand in hand with gambling, drug dealing, illegal gun sales and murder.
Left to themselves, roosters almost never hurt each other badly. In cockfights, on the other hand, the birds often wear razor-sharp blades on their legs and get injuries like punctured lungs, broken bones and pierced eyes—when they even survive.
Sadly, people often bring young children to cockfights. Seeing adults relish such brutality can teach kids to enjoy violence and think that animal suffering is okay.
Cockfighting happens in many kinds of neighborhoods and in states around the country. It is illegal in all states and a felony in 39 [PDF], which means that many states need to toughen up their laws.
National Animal Fighting Tip Line Launches
Following the nation's largest dogfighting raid, The HSUS launched a national animal fighting tip line.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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February 25, 2010
W.Va. Advocates Lobby for Stronger Animal Welfare Laws
West Virginians are gathering in support of animal protection legislation and urging lawmakers to make cockfighting a felony and establish standards for commercial dog breeders.
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February 24, 2010
Poll Shows Ga. Voters Favor Tougher Penalties for Cockfighting
An overwhelming majority of Georgia voters want tougher penalties for cockfighting, with 75 percent in favor of closing loopholes in the state’s cockfighting laws, according to a new survey.
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February 23, 2010
Ala. Residents Urge Lawmakers to Pass Animal Protection Laws
Citizens from across Alabama gathered to urge their lawmakers to pass legislation to increase the state's penalties for cockfighting and strengthen the anti-cruelty statute.
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February 23, 2010
Large Suspected California Cockfighting Operation Raided
A raid at the Dandy Gamefowl farm in California turned up almost 500 alleged fighting birds
Our Victories
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February 26, 2010
Puppy Mill Operator Sentenced to 10 Years
The HSUS applauds Judge Timothy Easter for imposing an appropriate sentence following the conviction of the owner of Pine Bluff Kennels in Lyles, Tenn., on animal cruelty charges.
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February 23, 2010
Large Suspected California Cockfighting Operation Raided
A raid at the Dandy Gamefowl farm in California turned up almost 500 alleged fighting birds
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February 8, 2010
Mark Lockhart Takes Atlanta by Storm
Mark Lockhart has turned his life around, thanks in part to The HSUS' End Dogfighting in Atlanta program.
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February 3, 2010
Barbie Inspires a Call for Better Laws for Animals
Barbie the dog was once injured and left outside in the snow. Those who fought to save her are now fighting for stronger animal protection laws in Idaho.