AUSTIN, Texas – Recent cockfighting busts in Texas have prompted an outcry from an animal advocacy group, shedding light on the persistent illegal activity in the state and across the nation.
Cruelty as Entertainment
Wayne Pacelle, representing Animal Wellness Action, condemns cockfighting as cruelty as entertainment. Cockfighting involves equipping animals with knives or ice picks on their legs and forcing them to fight until one is unable to continue, often resulting in lethal wounds.
Recent Incidents
In Northeast Houston, Harris County deputies discovered injured and deceased animals on a property where a cockfighting event had taken place. The property owner was arrested and charged with cockfighting, with over 100 roosters seized from the site. Similarly, in Caldwell County, sheriff’s deputies seized 35 roosters from a property suspected of hosting a large cockfighting ring, detaining nine individuals in the process.
Legal Action and Advocacy
Cockfighting is a felony in Texas, punishable by imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to $10,000. Alan Rosen, Harris County Constable Precinct 1, emphasizes the importance of reporting animal cruelty. Animal Wellness Action is advocating for the passage of the Fight Act in Congress to provide enhanced enforcement against illegal animal fighting rings nationwide.
Associated Criminal Activities
Pacelle highlights the association of cockfighting with other criminal activities such as illegal gambling, money laundering, narcotics trafficking, and violence outbreaks, underscoring the urgent need to halt these operations.
Taking a Stand Against Animal Cruelty
The recent cockfighting busts in Texas serve as a reminder of the ongoing battle against animal cruelty. With law enforcement and advocacy groups working together, there’s hope for stricter enforcement and harsher penalties to deter such inhumane practices in the future. If you witness animal mistreatment or suspicious activities, reporting it can save lives and help combat illegal operations.
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