Federal agents recently arrested six people in Rhode Island and Massachusetts as part of a nationwide crackdown on cockfighting rings. Since January, 45 people have been charged in grand jury indictments in California, Rhode Island, and Washington State for violating the Animal Fighting Prohibition Act.
The latest arrests in Rhode Island involve a man accused of running cockfighting derbies at his Providence home with five other men. The group allegedly used razor-sharp blades on roosters for fights, with some members purchasing and selling these weapons for combat. The men pleaded not guilty and could face up to five years in prison if convicted.
Cockfighting is a cruel practice in which specially bred roosters are forced to fight each other, often to the death. Animal welfare groups like the Humane Society of the United States condemn cockfighting for causing suffering to the birds involved. They are also concerned about money, gambling, and links to international drug cartels associated with these illegal activities.
The Humane Society is advocating for stronger laws to ban cockfighting in 11 states and supports federal legislation to crack down on the global business of animal fighting. The Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking Act, introduced in Congress, aims to address issues like online gambling on animal fights and protecting animals from exploitation in these cruel practices.
Overall, the recent arrests in Rhode Island highlight the ongoing efforts to combat cockfighting and animal cruelty across the country, with a focus on strengthening laws and enforcement to protect animals from harm and exploitation.
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