Texas Humane Legislation Network (THLN) - Promoting the humane treatment of animals through legislation, education and advocacy

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Background:  The "blood sport" of cockfighting is banned in all 50 states.  It's been a crime in Texas for over 100 years - since 1907.  Also, the U.S. Congress made it a felony to transport an animal across state lines to be used in an animal fighting venture.  That said, cockfighting is still rampant throughout Texas and is almost always accompanied by gambling, alcohol, drugs and firearms.  Often children are present and exposed to the cruelty of the "sport" as well as the violence that accompanies it. 

The reason cockfighting is so prevalent in Texas is because the only way to prosecute a cockfighting offense is to actually witness two people fighting their birds.  Thus, when cockfighting raids are held, law enforcement generally comes up with only one or maybe two prosecutions for cockfighting since only one fighting event occurs at any one time.  Unlike most other states, it is not a crime in Texas to own or operate a facility for cockfighting; own cock fighting equipment; train a cock to fight; or attend a cockfight. 

HB 1320 would make each of these support activities an offense and would also categorize cockfighting as organized crime and allow the seizure of cock fighting equipment as contraband.   This Bill is much needed in order to assist law enforcement in stamping out the cruel blood sport of cockfighting and the other illegal activities and violence that accompanies it.

Action Needed:  Please contact each member of the Violent Crimes Subcommittee and ask them to support HB 1320.  Also, if possible, please attend the hearing and sign a card in support of HB 1320.  You will note be asked to testify unless you want to, but signing a card will put you on record that you support this bill. 

Talking Points

• As mentioned above, despite the fact that it's been outlawed for over 100 years, cockfighting (and the related illegal activities of gambling, drugs and firearms) continues unabated throughout Texas. Cockfighting is not limited to certain areas of Texas, but is statewide. It occurs in the Valley, in East Texas, in West Texas, in rural areas and in metropolitan areas.
• HB 1320 will provide law enforcement the necessary tools to shut down these activities. As currently written, our Penal Code is ineffective in stopping cockfighting. In fact, The Humane Society of the United States has rated Texas 33^rd in terms of effective cockfighting laws. If Texans are serious about putting an end to cockfighting, we must give law enforcement the tools to do it.
• Cockfighting is an extremely profitable enterprise. Large amounts of money are made at cockfighting events by everyone involved: the promoters, the participants, and the gambling spectators. The prospect of that money overrides the minimum risk involved when prosecution is so difficult and problematic. Unless all participants (facility owners and operators, fighting cock trainers and sellers, cockfighting equipment dealers and cockfighting spectators) have something to loose - namely criminal prosecution and the loss of contraband - we will never stop cockfighting in Texas.
• In addition, the interstate and international movement of fighting cocks is a threat to the Texas poultry industry as a primary source of poultry diseases and, in particular, avian flu.

Contact Information for Subcommittee Members

Representatives            Email                                       512 Phone/Fax

Allen Vaught, Chair      allen.vaught@house.state.tx.us            463-0244/463-9967

Terri Hodge                terri.hodge@house.state.tx.us               463-0586/463-8147

Robert Miklos             robert.miklos@house.state.tx.us            463-0464/463-9295

Debbie Riddle            debbie.riddle@house.state.tx.us            463-0572/463-1908

Hubert Vo                  hubert.vo@house.state.tx.us                 463-0568/463-0548

PLEASE CALL, WRITE/FAX OR EMAIL EACH OF THEM TO SUPPORT THE BILL.  ASK YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS TO DO THE SAME.  AS ALWAYS, PLEASE BE COURTEOUS AND POLITE WHEN COMMUNICATING WITH THE REPRESENTATIVES AND THEIR STAFF.

Issue Links: Dog/Cock Fighting