This legislation, titled the FIGHT Act of 2025, significantly amends the Animal Welfare Act to provide greater protection for animals involved in fighting ventures, with a specific focus on roosters. It introduces a formal definition for a rooster as any male member of the Gallus Domesticus species older than six months, establishing a clear scope for its provisions and strengthening existing animal fighting prohibitions. The bill expands prohibited activities under the Act by making it unlawful for any person to gamble on an animal fighting venture , whether in-person or through broadcast events. Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits the use of the Postal Service or any other interstate instrumentality for the transport of roosters , aiming to disrupt the logistical support for cockfighting operations across state lines. To enhance enforcement, the legislation introduces provisions for civil citizen suits , allowing individuals to seek injunctions against alleged violators and imposing fines of up to $5,000 for each violation. It also permits the seizure of real property , including land and improvements, that is used or intended for use in sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in a fighting venture, thereby increasing accountability and penalties for those involved in animal fighting.
This legislation, titled the FIGHT Act of 2025, significantly amends the Animal Welfare Act to provide greater protection for animals involved in fighting ventures, with a specific focus on roosters. It introduces a formal definition for a rooster as any male member of the Gallus Domesticus species older than six months, establishing a clear scope for its provisions and strengthening existing animal fighting prohibitions. The bill expands prohibited activities under the Act by making it unlawful for any person to gamble on an animal fighting venture , whether in-person or through broadcast events. Furthermore, it explicitly prohibits the use of the Postal Service or any other interstate instrumentality for the transport of roosters , aiming to disrupt the logistical support for cockfighting operations across state lines. To enhance enforcement, the legislation introduces provisions for civil citizen suits , allowing individuals to seek injunctions against alleged violators and imposing fines of up to $5,000 for each violation. It also permits the seizure of real property , including land and improvements, that is used or intended for use in sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in a fighting venture, thereby increasing accountability and penalties for those involved in animal fighting.