Cockfighting is illegal in 50 states and a felony in 43 states. In 2018, it was also prohibited in the US territories. Despite laws in place, cockfighting still transpires albeit ensured by those partaking in it to be highly discreet. This webinar delves into cockfighting’s complex history, cultural and legal challenges, and the investigative techniques for successful prosecution.

Leading this discussion is Linda Fielder, the Animal Cruelty Investigations Manager for the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s Criminal Justice Program. Her role includes providing essential operational and forensic support on criminal animal cruelty cases as well as extensive investigative training to related agencies.

Specifics of Linda’s presentation include:

• A brief history of cockfighting and how it tends to be embedded in some cultures which are often associated with life milestones or historical and religious celebrations.
• How cultural practices can evolve over time particularly when traditions are proven to be harmful – and as such, traditions that involve animal cruelty as in cockfighting must be ended as well.
• A rundown of the evolution of cockfighting laws around the world and zeroing in on cockfighting laws in the US on the state and federal level including the territories.
• How despite existing laws prohibiting cockfighting, it still ensues within the US and the territories.
• The complexity of cockfighting investigations which requires expertise, multidisciplinary cooperation, awareness of cultural nuances, and familiarity with terminologies used within cockfighting circles.
• How cockfighting investigations tend to start with reports about farms and the characteristics of the farms that may hint that it’s being used to keep game fowl.
• Differentiating “heritage bird” from cockfighting birds and how historic preservation of heritage game fowl tends to be used as a smokescreen to cockfighting operations.
• A step-by-step guide on what to look for, where to look, who to involve, and how to get started with investigations upon receipt of a cockfighting report.
• Common investigation challenges in cockfighting cases as it relates to the people involved, the co-occurring crimes, and the animals in terms of number and their needs.
• The different pieces of evidence to familiarize with that must be documented, collected, and secured in these cases.
  • The birds – particularly their condition and the alterations that indicate they’re fighting birds.
  • The specific types of house and containment used to train and condition the birds.
  • The shipping containers, transport kennels, cases , and the associated receipts and labels that may provide information on the people involved.
  • Medications, supplements, and performance enhancers specifically for cockfighting purposes.
  • Knives, gaffs, sparring muffs – what they look like, their value, and household items used alongside these that indicate it’s used for cockfighting and not merely “collectibles.”
  • Alteration supplies and blood spatters in surfaces indicating cockfighting-related activities.
  • Paper and electronic evidence that can be a source of information on the subjects, their associates, and the activities they’re involved in.
  • The fighting ring that can be more permanent structures or makeshift ones.
• Other investigative considerations and processes in cockfighting cases.
  • How raids and seizures require resources, manpower, collaborations, and even surveillance and undercover operations.
  • Guidelines on how to process the crime scene thoroughly.
  • Considerations when conducting veterinary examinations and writing up the veterinarian report and summary.
  • Protective custody of the birds as live evidence and the challenges that may come along with it.
  • Building a robust case packet that will be valuable for prosecution.
  • Options for animal victims in terms of where they will be kept, reducing their time “in limbo” and their final disposition.
• A case study that utilized a multi-disciplinary approach in a meth manufacturing operation that led to the seizure of multiple fighting birds.
• The future of cockfighting: How it is getting more creative in eluding law enforcement and ideas to address it more effectively by focusing on the shipping portion of the operation.

Questions from the webinar attendees are about:

• Whether the landlord in the case study was charged as well.
• Obtaining a seize-in-place order.
• How cockfighting investigations typically are initiated.
• Where cockfighting operations tend to be located.
• Whether cockfighters tend to be dogfighters as well.
• The primary source of income of those involved in cockfighting.
• The “collectibles” defense for cockfighting paraphernalia.
• Guidance for cockfighting search warrants.
• Why waddles are removed and feathers are plucked.
• How cockfighting operations vary in size.
• Contacting federal partners for these cases.

Other Webinars with this Organization

• Feb 13, 2024: Better Futures for Animals – And With – Animals: The Canine Cellmates Model for Post-Conviction Animal Care Programs
• May 7: Tribal Law and Animal Law
• July 9:Unleashing Potential: The Canine CellMates Model for Developing and Implementing a Human/Canine Rehabilitation Program
• Aug 22: Fowl Play: Cockfighting’s History, Impact, and Future in the US and Territories (this webinar)
• Nov 5: Using Innovative Alternatives to Incarceration and Recognizing the Role of Trauma in Violence against Animals
• Feb 6, 2025:Due Process vs Disposition: Holding Animals and Remains as Evidence
• April 1:Witness Preparation: It’s Not Just About the Facts
• June 12:A Dog Named “It”: Courtroom Advocacy and Language
• Sept 23: Who You Gonna Call? Finding and Utilizing Experts in Animal Cruelty Investigations

Or Click here to view and register for other upcoming Animal Welfare webinars on the JCH Platform.

Resources and Handouts

• Handout: Fact Sheet
• Handout: Case Offerings/Support Services for Law Enforcement
• Handout: Overview Brochure
• Handout: Cockfighting Glossary
• Handout: Cockfighting Sample Warrant

Audience Comments

• “Thank you for offering great webinars. Every webinar I have attended has been very valuable.”
• “Thanks so much for this presentation on Cock Fighting. It is not a topic I feel I have a lot of knowledge about overall. I am not currently in the field of animal welfare cases, but working as a Domestic Violence Shelter Manager, I appreciate the knowledge of its relationship to further crimes and/or abuse. I am also a huge animal lover of all species and this devotion to living creatures drew me to this webinar originally. I appreciate all you do and your allowing others, such as myself,  to attend.”
• “I am in animal rescue, so I attend webinars like this to broaden my knowledge.”
• “This was very informative (and sad) but glad I know a little more about it and could recognize signs better.”

Founded in 1979, the Animal Legal Defense Fund’s mission is to protect the lives and advance the interestsof animals through the legal system. The Animal Legal Defense Fund accomplishes this mission byfiling high-impact lawsuits to protect animals from harm, providing free legal assistance and training to prosecutors to assure that animal abusers are held accountable for their crimes, supporting tough animal protection legislation and fighting legislation harmful to animals, and providing resources and opportunities to law students and professionals to advance the emerging field of animal law.

This webinar has been certified by the National Animal Care & Control Association and is approved for 1 Continuing Education Unit. Please refer to your NACA membership portal for current CEU submission process. Current NACA Members who attend the live presentation or watch the recording will be able to download a jointly issued attendance certificate that includes the National Animal Care & Control Association logo. Visit the NACA training page for a complete list of future trainings.

This webinar has been pre-approved by the Maine Animal Welfare Program for 1 Continuing Education Unit for the State of Maine’s ACO annual training. You can find more information about Certification, required annual training or submitting materials for credit at Maine’s Animal Control Officer Resource Page.