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California lawmakers have long outlawed cockfighting, yet the brutal and illegal blood sport continues to thrive in massive, underground breeding operations across the state. AB 928, the Cockfighting Cruelty Act, would give California law enforcement a critical tool to stop the breeding and trafficking of roosters for cockfighting before they are forced into bloody, illegal fights. Introduced in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States, this bill would establish civil penalties for properties where large numbers of roosters are bred, confined, and kept in conditions associated with cockfighting.

Despite California's strict prohibitions against possessing birds for fighting, it remains an exceedingly difficult crime to enforce because officers must explicitly prove intent. Please contact your state senator immediately to urge them to support and push forward the vital protections of AB 928.

The scale of this suffering is staggering. The USDA has estimated that cockfighting is a multimillion-dollar criminal industry involving more than 3 million birds statewide, and the three largest cockfighting seizures in U.S. history were all recently in California. California is also the only state where a first offense for cockfighting remains a misdemeanor rather than a felony.

Cockfighting also threatens other animals and communities. Ten of the 15 virulent Newcastle disease outbreaks in the United States originated from illegally smuggled birds used for cockfighting, contributing to devastating outbreaks in Southern California. At least 16 million birds died.

AB 928 establishes a statewide standard by prescribing that anyone maintaining more than 25 total roosters may face civil penalties for each bird over the limit. However, it's important for the bill to be amended to include placement-first requirements, due process protections before forfeiture, and clear prohibitions on destroying healthy birds solely because they exceed a numeric cap. This proactive tool mirrors successful ordinances already enacted in 20 California counties. AB 928 originated in the California Assembly and passed the Assembly on June 4, 2025.

Roosters are sentient individuals who feel fear and pain. California must act to stop those who breed, cage, traffic, and force animals to fight for profit and entertainment.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Decision makers: California State Senate

Subject: Support AB 928 to Help Stop Cockfighting Cruelty

As your constituent, I urge you to support AB 928, the Cockfighting Cruelty Act, to help stop the breeding, confinement, and trafficking of roosters for illegal cockfighting.

Cockfighting is a barbaric blood sport that forces roosters to fight, often with metal weapons attached to their legs, until they are severely injured or killed. These animals feel fear and pain, yet they are bred, isolated, tethered, caged, transported, and treated as disposable tools for gambling and entertainment.

Although cockfighting is already illegal in California, it remains difficult to enforce because officers often must prove that roosters are being possessed for the purpose of fighting. AB 928 would give law enforcement a much-needed tool to intervene earlier when large numbers of roosters are kept in conditions commonly associated with cockfighting operations.

This bill is especially important in California, where the three largest cockfighting seizures in U.S. history between 2000 and 2024 occurred. These cases show that cockfighting is not rare or isolated. It is a widespread criminal industry built on suffering.

AB 928 would help stop this cruelty before roosters are forced into fighting pits. It would also help protect communities and other animals from the disease risks linked to large-scale cockfighting operations.

In addition to supporting AB 928, I ask that you work to amend the bill to include placement-first requirements, due process protections before forfeiture, and clear prohibitions on destroying healthy birds solely because they exceed a numeric cap. Furthermore, I urge you to work to upgrade cockfighting from a misdemeanor to a felony for the first offense in California, as California is the only state lagging so far behind the rest of the US in this regard. Please support AB 928, the Cockfighting Cruelty Act, and help California take meaningful action against this brutal, illegal industry.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.