Congress·In Committee·S. 1454

Animal Fighting: New Ban on Cockfighting Gambling and Transport

FIGHT Act of 2025

Legislative Progress

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Law

This bill, introduced by Senators Kennedy and Booker, aims to stop animal fighting by making it illegal to gamble on these events. This includes betting on fights in person or watching them through a broadcast.
It bans using the U.S. Postal Service or other shipping companies to move roosters across state lines. This is designed to stop people from trafficking birds specifically for illegal fighting rings.
A major change would allow regular citizens to sue people who break these laws. If the government does not take action within 60 days of being notified about a violation, a private citizen can take the lawbreaker to court themselves.
People caught running these fights could have their property seized. The bill allows the government to take away any land or buildings that were used to host or help organize animal fighting ventures.
The bill sets a fine of up to $5,000 for each violation found in a citizen-led lawsuit. It also allows the court to order the person who broke the law to pay for the other side's legal fees and lawyer costs.