How to Build an Effective Case Against Cock Fighters

Cock fighting is the morally questionable practice of pitting chickens against each other in deadly fights. Fans of the sport gamble on the outcomes of these matches. While most governments and the public at large consider cock fighting to be unethical, the practice still continues, frequently in rural areas. Cock fighting rings can be exposed by vigilant citizens working hand in hand with law-enforcement professionals. To stop cock fighting in your town, you'll need to build an effective case against those who continue to engage in the practice.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Camera or video recorder

1. Investigate a suspected cock fighting operation on your own. Talk to neighbors to see whether anyone has observed suspicious behavior at the site in question. Take detailed notes about everything you discover to help build the most effective case you can.

2. Look for warning signs, such as breeding areas or makeshift chicken coops, in areas outside of farms. Look for cockfighting paraphernalia, such as spurs or barbed wire, as these instruments can be used to arm chickens and help them inflict maximum damage during fights.

3. Check chickens for signs of abuse or neglect. Chickens not killed during fights often suffer cuts, scratches or other wounds. Untreated wounds can be telltale signs that chickens have been used in illegal cock fights.

4. Build an effective case by attending a cockfighting tournament to gather firsthand information. This could be dangerous, so make sure you take someone with you and alert others as to where you'll be. Prepare yourself for the likelihood that you'll see some graphic sights.

5. Join forces with local law-enforcement agencies. Share all the information you've acquired to help them successfully prosecute their cases. Your local government may have a special agency dedicated to animal-cruelty operations.

6. Emphasize the connection between cock fighting operations and other crimes. Illegal gambling, drug use and weapons are frequently present at cock fighting tournaments. Aside from the moral issues of animal cruelty, there are other crimes that police departments might be interested in pursing.

7. Enlist the help of community organizations that are dedicated to fighting cases of animal cruelty. Some of the most popular groups include the ASPCA and the Humane Society (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Exposing and prosecuting criminal cock fighters is only the first step in caring for chickens. Consider adopting a rescued chicken from an animal shelter after a cock fighting operation is shut down.
• When building your case against cock fighters, make your tips anonymously. This way you can protect yourself from retribution from cock fighters who might face criminal charges as a result of your actions.

Resources

• Cock fight reporting through the ASPCA
• Animal-abuse reporting at the Humane Society

Who Can Help Sponsored

[mike805]

on 8/28/2009 Do not report Inocent people, just for having birds, make sure you have concrete evidence, if not it's a waste of tax payers money and also putting inocent people through hell. Having gamefowl is not illegal!!!!!! As hard as it is to believe there are legitimate breeders that breed for show and show their birds in Poultry show Circuits.