Salinas, Bacon Lead Bipartisan Fight Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Animal Trafficking Act

Today, Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.) and Congressman Don Bacon (R-Neb.) announced the introduction of the Fight Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Animal Trafficking (FIGHT) Act, a bipartisan bill to crack down on illegal cockfighting and dogfighting. The FIGHT Act would amend Section 26 of the Animal Welfare Act to enhance enforcement opportunities under the law and strengthen protections for at-risk animals.

“Every day, countless animals endure horrific violence as people force them to fight for personal gain,” said Rep. Salinas. “Cockfighting, dogfighting, and other blood sports are inhumane and unsafe – and Congress must intervene to protect innocent animals from such abuse. That’s why I’m proud to partner with Congressman Bacon as we introduce the FIGHT Act. This bill would strengthen our ability to hold those responsible for illegal animal fighting to account. It’s time to take a stand against cruelty.”

“It’s disgusting and inhumane that people profit off the cruel practice of forcing animals to fight for their lives,” said Rep. Bacon. “The FIGHT Act will embolden law enforcement to stop this inhumane and cruel animal abuse. I am thankful to Rep. Salinas for joining me on this legislation.”

“Cockfighting and dogfighting involve not only unconscionable cruelty to animals, but a wide range of other criminal conduct, including illegal gambling, money laundering, narcotics trafficking, and even shootings and murder,” noted Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “Congresswoman Salinas is helping lead the national fight to halt this mayhem and we applaud her.”

Specifically, the FIGHT Act would:

• Ban simulcasting and gambling on animal fights;
• Halt the shipment of mature roosters (chickens only) through U.S. mail;
• Create a citizen suit provision to allow private right of action against illegal animal fighters;
• And enhance forfeiture provisions to include real property for animal fighting crimes.

In Oregon, dogfighting and cockfighting are Class C felonies. However, animal fights still occur throughout the state, including in Oregon’s sixth district. The animals involved in these fights are often drugged to heighten their aggression and forced to continue fighting even after suffering devastating injuries, such as broken bones, punctured lungs, and pierced eyes. In addition, animal fighting is often associated with other criminal activities, such as illegal gambling, drug trafficking, weapons dealing, assault, and public corruption.

The FIGHT Act is co-led by Reps. Salinas (D-Ore.) and Bacon (R-Neb.). It is cosponsored by Reps. Doggett (D-Texas), McGovern (D-Mass.), Sánchez (D-Calif.), Buchanan (R-Fla.), Quigley (D-Ill.), Amodei (R-Nev.), Titus (D-Nev.), Barragán (D-Calif.), Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), Gooden (R-Texas), Neguse (D-Colo.), Garcia (R-Calif.), Mace (R-S.C.), Carter (D-La.), Carey (R-Ohio), Crockett (D-Texas), and Kean (R-N.J.). 

To learn more about the FIGHT Act, click here.

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