Florida Law on Owning Gamefowl
It is legal to own gamefowl in Florida, but a 2006 law makes it illegal to raise roosters for the purpose of fighting them or to knowingly sell them for fighting.
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Background
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According to a news story in the "St. Petersburg Times," Florida had about 2,590 gamefowl farms in 2003. These farms sold birds to states, territories and countries where cockfighting was legal and had revenues of about $70 million a year.
Animal Fighting Act
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The Florida Animal Fighting Act, which passed in 2006, forbids anyone from breeding, owning, training, transporting or selling any animal, including roosters and other birds, dogs and bears, with the intention of fighting them. It also prohibits the possession or sale of equipment, such as leg knives, used for animal fighting. In addition, the law makes it a felony to watch a cockfight. Those convicted could pay a $5,000 fine and serve up to five years in prison.
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Federal Law
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The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007 makes it illegal to buy, sell or transport fighting roosters to other states or countries, even if cockfighting is legal in those states and countries. Those convicted can serve up to three years in prison.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit rooster image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
