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Virginia Legislature Takes on Animal Fighting

February 15, 2008

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Roosters will have a lot to crow about if the Va. legislature helps make cockfighting a felony.

By Ariana Huemer

For too long, Virginia has languished at the bottom of the barrel when it comes to animal fighting laws. Although the Commonwealth has had a felony dogfighting law for some time, it has failed to treat cockfighting with equal seriousness.

With only misdemeanor penalties for cockfighting—and no penalties for being a spectator at cockfights or for owning roosters with the intent to fight them—Virginia is second only to Alabama in its tolerance for cockfighting.

Times Are Changing

But 2008 may be the year that turns the tide in favor of animals and against cockfighters. Legislation championed by Sen. Tom Norment (R,3) and Rep. Morgan Griffith (R,8) will make all animal fighting crimes—dogfighting, cockfighting and hog-dog fighting—felony offenses.

As it progresses through the legislature, it promises to boost Virginia's animal fighting laws from being one of the weakest to one of the strongest in the nation.

With the support of Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Gov. Tim Kaine, House Majority Leader Griffith, and a series of humane and law enforcement agencies, S.B 592 and H.B. 656 are moving swiftly through the legislature.

S.B. 592 passed the Senate by a unanimous (39-0) vote, while H.B. 656 passed handily in the House by a 93-2 margin.

The House and the Senate must now look at the two bills and iron out their differences. The final version of the legislation will head to the governor's desk for his signature into law.

Keeping Up the Fight

Not surprisingly, cockfighting factions are fighting tooth and nail to stop the bill, converging upon Richmond from both within Virginia and surrounding states—asking lawmakers to keep the penalties low so they can continue their illegal activities.

But the Michael Vick case has spawned such broad public scorn against all animal fighting activities that legislators are unlikely to heed the cockfighters' calls. It's time the Commonwealth shed its status as the last bastion for cockfighting in the U.S.

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

Related Links

Ranking of State Cockfighting Laws

Ranking of State Dogfighting Laws