In the U.S. House of Representatives, the debate is gaining momentum over including the bipartisan FIGHT Act (Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking) in the sweeping Farm Bill package. A coalition of law enforcement and animal protection organizations has appealed to House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson, urging him to bring the measure up for committee markup scheduled by the end of February. The bill’s goal is to strengthen federal tools to combat animal fighting, illegal gambling, and organized crime, which are often intertwined as part of the same criminal ecosystem.
Despite strict bans, dogfighting and cockfighting continue to surface across the United States, and Pennsylvania is no exception. Supporters of the bill emphasize that animal cruelty here is just the tip of the iceberg: beneath it lie illegal betting, drug trafficking, and other criminal schemes.
A bipartisan bill
The initiative is being advanced in both chambers of Congress. In the House of Representatives it is filed as H.R. 3946, and in the Senate as S.1454. Both measures propose to amend the Animal Welfare Act, strengthening enforcement mechanisms against animal fighting and related criminal activity. Among the bipartisan co-sponsors are many members of Congress from Pennsylvania.
More than 500 organizations nationwide support the bill. Among the key supporters from Pennsylvania are the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police, the state sheriffs’ association, and the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. All appeals are addressed directly to Agriculture Committee Chairman Thompson.
The crimes speak for themselves
Two recent cases in Pennsylvania clearly illustrate the scale of the problem. In 2025, state police conducted an investigation in West Hazleton and seized 28 pit bulls bearing scars and other injuries consistent with dogfighting. In Plumstead Township (Bucks County), an illegal cockfighting ring was shut down, and one of those charged was also convicted on drug-trafficking charges.
Among the key measures proposed by the FIGHT Act are the following:
- Ban online betting on animal fights.
- Ban the mailing of adult roosters through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS).
- Create a citizen-suit provision allowing private individuals to sue to enforce the law.
- Expand forfeiture authority, including seizure of real property used to organize fights.
Supporters of such restrictive measures point out that a tough government stance on animal fighting is seen even in many developing countries. Despite the fact that they still sometimes take place, betting on them is illegal. Some African countries provide an example of a responsible approach to fights involving animals. We received more info from the site’s authors with a list of Tanzanian betting platforms. They indicate that no operator operating in the country accepts online bets on animal fights.
Animal fighting is banned in the country, and attending it can result not only in a fine but also a custodial sentence.
Prosecutors and police speak with one voice
“Pennsylvania prosecutors deal with the real consequences of violence and organized crime, including animal fighting,” said Kelly Callihan, executive director of the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association. According to her, when law enforcement and prosecutors from across the state present a united front, lawmakers should listen: the FIGHT Act reflects the practical experience of those who investigate these cases and prosecute them in court, and it is a sensible step toward protecting the public and strengthening investigative tools.
A scale that’s hard to imagine
Animal Wellness Action President Wayne Pacelle noted that even though animal fighting is classified as a felony in Pennsylvania, federal tools remain insufficient to dismantle entrenched criminal networks. In his estimate, potentially millions of birds in the country are bred and trained specifically for fighting. “It’s bigger than most people can comprehend,” Pacelle emphasized.
A significant share of these birds is shipped overseas: to Mexico, the Philippines, and other countries. A vivid example of the industry’s cross-border nature is the World Slasher Cup, a multi-day cockfighting tournament recently held in Manila. It is against this backdrop that the proposal to ban the mailing of roosters through USPS takes on added practical urgency.
The Michael Vick case—and lessons from the past
In 2007, the case of NFL quarterback Michael Vick, convicted of organizing dogfighting in Virginia, drew unprecedented national attention to the issue. After his release, Vick joined Pacelle’s educational outreach tours, and together they spoke to tens of thousands of young people in roughly 40 communities nationwide.
Among additional arguments from supporters of the FIGHT Act is an economic one: cockfighting is viewed as a potential pathway for the spread of avian diseases that could deal a serious blow to the U.S. egg and poultry markets. Animal Wellness Action cites its own fact sheet detailing these risks.
The next procedural step is clear: Glenn Thompson intends to bring the Farm Bill up for Agriculture Committee markup by the end of February. Supporters of the bill are pushing for the FIGHT Act to be included in the final package. The initiative’s further fate depends entirely on the committee’s decision and how quickly the Farm Bill moves through both chambers of Congress.
Leave a Reply