United States Attorney Delia L. Smith has issued a reminder to the Virgin Islands community regarding the prohibition of cockfighting under federal law. The Agricultural Improvement Act, effective since December 20, 2019, bans animal fighting throughout the United States and its territories.
Attorney Smith emphasized that promoting cockfighting is a felony with penalties of up to five years in prison. Since 2002, federal law has forbidden the shipment of fighting birds from the mainland U.S. to the Territory. Smith stated, “Federal law prohibits a wide range of activities associated with animal fighting ventures, including knowingly sponsoring, exhibiting, or attending these events.” An animal fighting venture involves a fight between at least two animals for sport, wagering, or entertainment purposes. The legislation also outlaws selling, buying, training, transporting, shipping, delivering or receiving animals for fighting and trafficking in knives or gaffs used on birds.
Despite these prohibitions, local law enforcement continues to receive reports of ongoing cockfighting matches. Attorney Smith pointed out that prosecutions related to animal fighting often correlate with other criminal activities such as violent crime and firearms offenses. “Cockfighting is illegal and potentially dangerous. We must therefore continue our commitment to keeping our community safe,” she stated.
The public is encouraged to report any information about cockfighting or other animal fighting crimes by contacting the Federal Bureau of Investigations at (787) 754-6000 or the United States Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General hotline at (800) 424-9121 or through their website.