Federal Animal Fighting Law Debuts Big in Virginia

©The HSUS

Thanks to weak state laws, cockfighting is commonplace in parts of the Commonwealth.

Michael Vick is not the only animal fighter in Virginia smarting from the federal prosecution of animal fighting crimes. The recent indictment of four cockfighters in Page County, Va., on federal charges could potentially put them away for anywhere from 13 to 113 years, if convicted on all counts.

On Saturday, May 5, 2007—just two days after President Bush signed into law the federal Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act—federal authorities swooped down on the Little Boxwood Cockpit in Stanley, Virginia.

U.S. Attorney John Brownlee and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Bondurant—from the Western District of Virginia—were enormously instrumental in the case. Their aggressive pursuit helped close down a massive cockfighting operation, making it clear that the new federal law will be used with force against those who are involved in animal fighting.

Felony Charges, Possibly More To Come

The raid ultimately has resulted in the indictments of four cockfighters on felony animal fighting charges and marks the first time the new federal animal fighting law has been applied. All indications are that more charges are pending. The HSUS' manager of animal fighting issues, John Goodwin, provided information at a grand jury hearing to support the government's case.

The Little Boxwood Cockpit is one of the oldest and long-running illegal cockfighting pits in the nation. The pit has hosted countless thousands of staged matches where untold numbers of birds died gruesome deaths for the sake of "entertainment" and gambling.

Its demise is significant not only because it shuts down a major venue of animal suffering but also because it has shown Virginia cockfighters that they can no longer disregard the law and continue their bloody business with impunity. Even with a weak state law, prosecution under federal law could be devastating.

Need for Stronger State Laws

The number of illegal animal fighting operations in Virginia still presents a challenge, however. State officials must take responsibility for illegal animal cruelty in their own counties, working with the federal government in cracking down on these abuses.

That's why in 2008, The HSUS, animal protection advocates and local Virginia law enforcement will be making it a top priority to increase cockfighting penalties in the state. Only when the punishment becomes commensurate with the crime will the Old Dominion state see some relief from animal-fighting crimes.

Ariana Huemer is cruelty case manager for The Humane Society of the United States.

See the Video

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State Cockfighting Laws

Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act

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Sample Letter to the Editor about Cockfighting