How to Report Dogfighting or Cockfighting

If you think someone is abusing an animal(s) or you know someone who is abusing an animal—speak up immediately. Don’t be silent, report it. Committing animal cruelty is a felony in all 50 U.S. states. Dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In most states, the possession of dogs for the purpose of fighting is also a felony offense. Being a spectator at a dogfight is illegal in all states except Montana and Hawaii. And cockfighting is a felony in almost all 50 states. And very soon, animal cruelty will become a federal felony crime.

How to Report Dog, Cock or Animal Fighting

Call 9-1-1 and report the cruelty and crime. Or visit your local police department and file a report. You can also contact your local animal control agency, and local humane organization or tax-payer funded animal shelter, and file a report with them. Most importantly, file a report with the police department, and don’t wait.

Give the agency as many details as you can about the suspected animal fighting operation. You do not need to give your name to law enforcement to report your information. If you can, provide photos, videos, audio, names of dog or cock fighters and addresses, or any other evidence that documents the dog or cock fighting. Share with local authorities the exact location of the fighting.

Tell the law enforcement agency about the HSUS’s reward program, by contacting the Humane Society of the U.S. animal fighting tip line at 877-TIP-HSUS. The HSUS offers a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dogfighting or cockfighting. If you have information about illegal animal fighting in your area, you can call the HSUS’s animal fighting tip line at 877-TIP-HSUS. Your information will be kept confidential, and be sure to download and print the poster and post it in public places. In order to qualify for the reward, it must be an open case. If you have questions about the reward program, please call the HSUS at 202-452-1100.

Get a letter from law enforcement. If the suspected animal fighter is convicted, ask the law enforcement agency involved in the case to write a letter to the HSUS. The letter should state that your tip helped lead to the arrest and prosecution. The letter should be mailed or faxed to:

Animal Fighting Reward Program
The Humane Society of the United States
1255 23rd Street, NW, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20037
Fax: 301-721-6414

Share this reward information with friends and family and on social media to get more people involved in convicting dog and cock fighters.

Report Dogfighting or Cockfighting Seen on the Internet

Report any animal cruelty seen on the Internet by:

Identify the URL or name of the website, plus find out who owns the website by visiting www.whois.net and doing a “WHOIS” search of the site in question
Then contact the website’s ISP (Internet Service Provider) such as AT&T, Verizon or Comcast, to let them know about the offensive material that involves animal abuse and cruelty
Contact the Police or local law enforcement officials (see the website registrant’s address on WHOIS), and contact the local FBI branch as well
Contact your local county or city animal shelter and humane society. Also contact PETA day or night—at 757-622-7382, hit option 2. You can complete PETA’s Animal Cruelty Report Form here: https://www.peta.org/about-peta/contact-peta/report-cruelty/— they will follow up
You can report animal cruelty to the Humane Society of the U.S. here: https://www.humanesociety.org/forms/contact-animal-rescue-team— they will follow up

What Else You Can Do to Fight Animal Cruelty & Dog/Cock Fighting

Get to Know your Local Police, Sheriff and Law Enforcement authorities — and bring animal fighting issues to their attention; urge them to seek out dog fighters and enforce the penalties and laws against them; ask them to make your town and region safer from criminal activity and animal cruelty.
Help Pass the PACT Act, Preventing Animal Cruelty and Torture Act – Making it a federal crime to commit malicious cruelty to an animal of federal property or interstate commerce, please sign! Here
Share This Video, Life on a Chain: Death in the Ring – With friends on social media to learn more about the heinous crime of dogfighting and those who commit it.
Write Letters to Your Editor— about the cruelty and dangers of dogfighting. Promote fighting against dog fighting in your area – be vocal, speak up, and educate others.
Fight for Stronger Laws at the State Level – Write, call or meet with your state legislators and urge them to upgrade your state’s laws to impose much harsher sentences and penalties against the crime of dog fighting and animal cruelty. Let them know you care about this.
Urge Your Local, State and Congressional Representatives — To support better funding for enforcement of animal fighting laws.

Watch The Champions documentary – About the pit bulls rescued from the notorious Michael Vick dog fighting case.