Authorities Raid Cockfight Saturday, Make Arrests Under New Law

December 22, 2007

 Four arrested, about 100 birds removed from N.M. properties

CHAPARRAL, N.M.—Otero County Sheriff's Department and the Attorney General's Animal Cruelty Task Force, with assistance from Animal Protection of New Mexico and The Humane Society of the United States, raided the Otero Game Club's "Christmas Derby" cockfighting event today.

Several people attending the cockfighting event fled just before law enforcement agents arrived at the scene. Law enforcement agencies arrested four individuals. It is estimated that more than 100 birds were relinquished from two properties total. 

On Wednesday, the New Mexico Fifth Judicial District Court upheld a ban on cockfighting in the state, after the New Mexico Gamefowl Breeders Association had questioned the constitutionality of the ban. According to New Mexico law, the first and second cockfighting convictions are misdemeanors, and the third conviction is a felony.

 "Cockfighting is an utterly cruel activity and it has no place in New Mexico or anywhere else," said John Goodwin, manager of The HSUS' animal cruelty and fighting campaign, who was on-scene Saturday.

Multiple law enforcement and animal control agencies, including those from Doña Ana County and the City of Albuquerque, participated.

Cockfighting Facts:

• Tens of thousands of people are involved in cockfighting nationwide.
• Law enforcement raids across the country have revealed that cockfights, which are frequently attended by children, often involve gambling and, as a result of the large amounts of cash present, firearms and other weapons.
• Law enforcement officials have documented a strong connection between cockfighting and the distribution of illegal drugs. 

Media Contacts

Nadya Vera, 305-431-0503, nvera@humanesociety.org

Kristen Everett, 240-654-2667, keverett@humanesociety.org

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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization—backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty—On the Web at humanesociety.org.