Federal agents have arrested six individuals in Rhode Island and Massachusetts as part of an ongoing crackdown on cockfighting rings across the country. This operation involves criminal organizations that equip roosters with razor-sharp blades for deadly battles. Since January, 45 people have been charged in grand jury indictments in California, Rhode Island, and Washington State for running these illegal fights. The investigations largely focus on violations of the Animal Fighting Prohibition Act, which allows for stronger charges to be brought.
In Rhode Island, a man is accused of hosting cockfighting derbies at his home and providing roosters with weapons for combat. The group of men involved in the fights are facing charges related to sponsoring and participating in animal fights. Cockfighting is a cruel and illegal practice in which roosters are equipped with sharp weapons on their legs and forced to fight each other until one is dead or refuses to continue.
Animal welfare groups are advocating for stricter punishments for those involved in cockfighting, as the birds involved suffer greatly. These organizations argue that the primary motivations behind these rings are money, entertainment, and gambling. Legislation has been introduced in Congress to strengthen laws against cockfighting, including banning online gambling on animal fights and allowing for the seizure of property used in these operations.
Cockfighting is illegal in every state, and animal welfare advocates are calling for additional measures to protect gamecocks from these brutal practices. The United States is not alone in dealing with this issue, as it is a global problem that affects animals worldwide. Legislators are working to pass laws that will crack down on the illegal and inhumane practice of cockfighting.
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