This bill would amend the Animal Welfare Act to add protections focused on roosters and animal fighting. It defines "rooster" as any male Gallus domesticus older than 6 months. The bill makes it unlawful to knowingly sponsor or exhibit an animal in an animal fighting venture; to attend or cause a person under 16 to attend; and to gamble on an animal fighting venture, including in-person or broadcast events. It also adds a ban on using the mail or other interstate instrumentalities to transport a rooster.
The bill gives the Secretary authority to investigate suspected violations, seek assistance from other federal agencies, obtain search warrants, order forfeiture, and recover costs in forfeiture or civil actions. It creates a civil citizen-suit process: any person may sue to stop alleged violations after giving 60 days' notice to the Secretary and local law enforcement. A court may fine up to $5,000 per violation in such suits and may award litigation costs, including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees. The Attorney General may intervene at the request of the Secretary. The bill also allows seizure of all real property used or intended to be used to commit or facilitate sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in a fighting venture. It clarifies that the Act does not supersede state or local laws except in direct conflict, and it adds the new Animal Welfare Act provision to the postal nonmailable list.
No publicly available information on budgetary costs to the federal government. The bill specifies civil fines up to $5,000 per violation in citizen suits and provides for forfeiture and seizure of property used to commit or facilitate violations. It also states that costs may be recoverable in forfeiture or civil actions.
The bill's short title and text state its purpose is to provide greater protection of roosters and to address inhumane fighting, gambling, and high-risk trafficking related to animal fighting ventures.
No publicly available information.