Animal Fighting Makes Big News!

LCA Cockfighting Bust Makes the News Again.

The court case continues for the nation's largest cockfighting bust and more charges are to come. The May 1, 2007 raid of a rural cockfighting and gambling operation in Crawford County brought about over 100 defendants.
(See photographs of bust below.)

More than 80 people were charged in Crawford County Circuit Court with operating a gambling house, criminal use of property or laundering criminal proceeds, engaging in a continuing criminal gang organization or enterprise, and misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Those pleading guilty to misdemeanor cruelty to animals received a one-year suspended sentence, $ 1, 000 fine, $ 1, 000 restitution and $ 170 in court costs. Restitution was charged to compensate the federal, state, county and local agencies that were involved in the nine-month investigation and raid on the cockfighting operation.

About 60 people were charged in Van Buren District Court with misdemeanor cruelty to animals, most of whom pleaded guilty to the charge. With information provided by LCA's Special Investigations Unit who led the bust, along with county law enforcement officials, Arkansas State Police and FBI agents, the crowded and popular cockfighting arena which was operating on Shiloh Road near Cedarville in Eastern Arkansas was raided. The raid resulted in 127 arrests. You can help us stop animal fighting by supporting LCA today!

To learn more about animal fighting and other LCA Campaigns, please visit our website.

Photographs From the Crawford County Cockfighting Bust

Dead bird with "gaff" still attached. Gaffs are steel blades attached to the birds legs during the fight.



Dead fighting birds are put through the three red holes in this wall. On the other side of the wall is an incinerator for burning the birds. The wall is splattered with blood.



The "Cockpit" - handlers, referee and gamecocks are in this enclosure during the cockfights.



Box of fighting paraphernalia; includes weapons and syringe. Cockfighters inject their birds with various drugs to increase alertness, aggression and for better overall performance.

Photographs courtesy of the 21st District Arkansas Prosecutor's Office.