Sponsors (148)
The bill strengthens federal tools, penalties, and private enforcement to crack down on animal fighting and its funding, but increases risks of property forfeiture, additional litigation and prosecutorial burdens, and potential impacts on lawful commerce.
Private citizens and local/state authorities can sue to stop animal fighting (seek injunctions), increasing enforcement when agencies do not act.
People who gamble on animal fighting face a new federal crime, reducing financial incentives that fund and enable these illegal operations.
Transporting roosters for fighting via the U.S. Mail or across state lines is prohibited, limiting cross-jurisdictional movement that sustains animal‑fighting networks.
Homeowners or business owners risk forfeiture of real estate used to facilitate animal fighting, potentially resulting in loss of property.
Allowing private citizen lawsuits (after notice) may produce burdensome litigation and legal costs for defendants and for municipal governments, increasing taxpayer exposure.
Making gambling on animal fighting a federal crime could increase prosecutorial workload and create tension with state gambling laws where preemption is unclear.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Defines “rooster,” bans gambling on animal fighting ventures, and adds citizen suits, fines, and real property seizure to enforce animal-fighting prohibitions.
Adds a definition of “rooster” to the Animal Welfare Act, makes it illegal to gamble on animal fighting ventures, and expands federal enforcement tools against animal fighting. The bill clarifies that transporting roosters can be treated as use of interstate commerce, authorizes private citizens to sue to stop violations (with a 60‑day notice requirement), lets courts impose fines up to $5,000 per violation, and permits seizure of real property used to commit or facilitate violations.
Introduced June 12, 2025 by Donald J. Bacon · Last progress June 12, 2025