States are taking measures to increase penalties for cockfighting and to broaden the scope of prohibited acts related to cockfighting. In 2013, cockfighting laws were introduced in 15 states. Nebraska and Nevada have passed laws to increase penalties for cockfighting. Indiana has classified its sentences for cockfighting as part of a general reclassification of penalties for criminal acts. Of the 13 states where a first cockfighting offense is a felony, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah have introduced laws that would increase the penalty for cockfighting to a felony; All have failed or remain poultry in circulation. MPs responded to 166 Clayton Lane at 12.45pm. At the scene, they said many people were gathered under a large canopy around a cockfighting ring, with roosters actively fighting. 12. The Dorchester County Sheriff`s Office has arrested 18 people in connection with a cockfighting ring in Ridgeville. In 2013, cockfights were stopped in California, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey and Oregon, among others. The Oregon bust made national headlines when it was discovered that a Romanian princess was among the accused. South Carolina saw 46 animal cruelty charges for cockfighting last year, 41 of which resulted in convictions.
The proposed bill would increase penalties for game handlers charged with animal cruelty for the second offence, with up to five years in prison. Viewers would face animal cruelty charges for the third offense, with a fine of up to $5,000 and five years in jail. Cockfighting dates back at least 6,000 years to the Bronze Age civilizations of the Indus Valley. It was imported from the British Isles to South Carolina during the colonial period. At the time, cockfighting was a gentleman`s „sport“ practiced by former presidents George Washington and Andrew Jackson. Some of these cases also involved high-profile defendants. In 2005, former South Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Charles Sharpe pleaded guilty to multiple charges of involvement in an illegal cockfighting ring — serving two years in prison. Wildlife farmers say they are being unfairly targeted by animal rights activists who don`t understand the tradition of cockfighting. For example, Gary Dicorte of Little Mountain says these types of birds will fight and kill each other anyway. „One of our biggest challenges in raising these birds is preventing them from killing each other when they are mature,“ he said. DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C.
The U.S. Department of Justice said seven people were charged with their role in a wildcat fighting enterprise and illegal gambling operation in Dorchester County. The Animal Welfare Act 1996 (AWA) was amended in 2002 to make it an offence to ship, display or sponsor birds for the purpose of fighting. The 2002 amendments were changed again in 2007 when President George W. Bush signed the Animal Fighting Prohibition Reinforcement Act (AFPRA). The law not only increased the penalty for animalfighting violations under the AWA from a misdemeanor to a felony, but also made it illegal to „knowingly sell, purchase, transport, or supply in interstate or foreign commerce a knife, gaffe, or other sharp instrument attached or intended to be attached to a bird`s paw. is intended for use in an animal fighting business.“ The 2008 Farm Bill increased penalties for animal fighting or possession of animal-fighting instruments to three to five years in prison and also increased fines for AWA violations. „After the indictment, federal law enforcement officials legally detained the property where the illegal activities took place,“ the Justice Department said. „Federal law enforcement also seized money and three vehicles used as part of the animal fighting and illegal gambling society.“ „The bloodthirsty sport of cockfighting creates a cesspool of illegal activities such as gambling, drug use and disease,“ said Marty Irby, Executive Director of the AWF. „We will make Palmetto State safer if we eradicate this egregious criminal activity, and we hope that the good people of South Carolina will receive our $5,000 reward.“ However, animal rights activists say cockfighting is cruelty to animals and also breeds an „underground culture“ that includes drugs, alcohol and gambling. Cockfighting, one of the oldest spectator sports in the world, has been taking place since the beginning of recorded times.
In today`s culture, the word is used for the names of high school and college sports teams and a rooster is the mascot of a popular English football team. Cockfighting has been the subject of movies and featured in an episode of the popular TV show „Seinfeld.“ Reviews of cockfighting point to the brutality of the sport and the treatment of animals bred for fighting. Cockfights often end with the death of one of the competitors, and many involve spurs attached to the rooster`s feet. Critics also point out that cockfighting is often associated with illegal gambling activities, and birds are usually given illegal drugs to increase their fighting ability and stamina. The campaign comes a week after authorities dismantled a cockfighting ring in Greer, South Carolina, leading to three arrests. „Federal and state law enforcement have a duty to enforce our laws against the barbaric practices of cockfighting and dogfighting,“ said Wayne Pacelle, AWA President. „But their good works depend on the cooperation and vigilance of citizens. We ask people who know about illegal animal fighting activities to help us put an end to these forms of cruelty. Cockfighting is illegal in all fifty states (Louisiana was the last state to ban the practice in 2008). However, it remained legal in some U.S. territories — including Puerto Rico — until 2019.
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