Last week in Clark County, Wisconsin, over 160 roosters and hens were rescued from a cockfighting operation. These birds were found in horrifying conditions—starving, mutilated, and confined in filthy cages. Some had missing feet; others had been “dubbed,” a painful procedure where their combs and wattles are cut off to minimize bleeding during fights.

This isn't just animal cruelty; it's organized violence for profit. Cockfighting is often linked to illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and the spread of diseases like avian flu. Despite being illegal nationwide, the penalties for cockfighting vary significantly across states.

In eight states, cockfighting is still classified only as a misdemeanor, allowing perpetrators to escape with minimal consequences, including Alabama, Hawaii, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, and West Virginia.

This inconsistency undermines efforts to eradicate cockfighting and allows this brutal practice to persist in certain regions.

We call upon the legislators and governors of these eight states to take immediate action:

• Reclassify cockfighting as a felony offense, aligning with the majority of states that recognize the severity of this crime.
• Implement stricter penalties to deter individuals from participating in or organizing cockfights.
• Enhance enforcement efforts to identify and dismantle cockfighting operations.

Animals deserve protection from such cruelty, and communities deserve to be free from the associated criminal activities. Let's ensure that cockfighting is treated with the seriousness it warrants across the entire nation.