Cockfighting Participants

Promoter

This is the owner or controller of the fight location and is responsible for all arrangements necessary to facilitate the meet. These responsibilities entail scheduling, determining and collecting entry fees, providing an arena(s) or any other pit supplies, and selecting event staff including matchmakers, timekeepers, referees, and security personnel. In addition, the promoter may rent onsite facilities (cock houses)—small buildings with workbenches and stalls to house fighting cocks—to cockfighters (Sakach & Parascandola, 2016).

Handler

May also be referred to as a “pitter.” This is an individual who will heel (tie the gaffs on the legs of the gamecocks) and handle the birds during the fight. A handler may be a bird owner or be paid a percentage of the winnings if the bird is victorious. Only two handlers and a referee may enter the pit during a fight event (Sakach & Parascandola, 2016).

Referee

This individual will officiate in the pit during the event. A referee is familiar with cockfighting rules and they are responsible for evaluating matched cocks for weights, band numbers, and inspecting any implements placed on the birds for the fight. Depending on the event size, each pit will have an individual referee (Sakach & Parascandola, 2016).

Spectator

An individual attending a cockfight. Most spectators are male; however, any sex, age, or ethnicity may be a cockfighting enthusiast. (Sakach & Parascandola, 2016).

Other key personnel in the facilitation of cockfighting venues are matchmakers, timekeepers, scorekeepers, and security personnel (Sakach & Parascandola, 2016).

Cockfighting Profiles

There are three levels of cockfighters: the serious (professional cockfighter), hobbyist, and novice. The professional takes immense pride in breeding, training, and fighting their gamecocks. They may operate on a national and/or international level. Their homes or facilities may have hundreds or thousands of game fowl consisting of breeding stock and gamecocks for fighting. A hobbyist might own 50 — 100 game fowl in their yards. These individuals tend to participate in local derbies. A novice usually has fewer than 50 birds and will compete in local brush fights (smaller, less organized fights) in remote areas (Sakach & Parascandola, 2016) (Figure 13.1).

Training

Cockfighters will put their birds through an intensive training and conditioning program referred to as a “keep” before a scheduled fight. A keep can last 2—4 weeks prior to a fight. During the keep, the fighting cock undergoes a strict training regime and is given a special diet, and vitamins or other enhancement drugs. Training and conditioning involve running, flirting, flying, leg pulls, and sparring. Running builds endurance by forcing the bird to run the distance of an arm span by pushing it from behind with one hand on a level surface such as a carpeted bench. "Flirting” involves tossing the bird about 2 feet in the air from one hand to the other in a continuous rhythm requiring the bird to flap its wings. This exercise strengthens the wings. To "fly” entails a bird being held 5 feet above another bird on the ground. The bird on the ground flies toward the elevated bird.

Figure 13.1 Individual birds in cages, some with hens for breeding in a backyard operation.

Figure 13.2 Sparring muffs used for training gamecocks.

“Leg pulls’’ simulate resistance pulling. The cock is supported under the belly and placed within reach of some type of surface. The bird will reach out with its legs, building endurance of the leg muscles. Sparring is conducted with sparring muffs (miniature boxing gloves) placed on the spurs. Sparring matches assess a gamecock’s fighting style and training progress (Sakach & Parascandola, 2016) (Figure 13.2).

The Cockfight

Cockfighting is a blood sport comprising two or more specially bred and trained birds, known as gamecocks, that are placed in some type of enclosure to fight. The cockfight will usually end one of three ways. One of the birds will die, one of the bird’s handlers will concede the fight, or a cock quits (fails to fight) for more than three counts of 10 seconds and one count of 20 seconds. A fight may last several minutes to over 30 minutes (Sakach & Parascandola, 2016).

CASE 1: Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies (NBS)

History: Local law enforcement in conjunction with a federal agency was concerned about an individual in possession of explosives. The individual also was involved in organized cockfighting. A search warrant to enter the property was obtained based on the presence of the birds.

Physical Findings: Upon entry to the property, suspects were removing combs and wattles on several gamecocks with scissors. There were several other birds with recently cut and bleeding combs and wattles. Over 100 gamecocks were on scene as well as hens. The front of the property consisted of breeding and training facilities for the birds. There was a shed containing medical supplies to treat birds on scene. Additional dwellings had cockfighting paraphernalia. The federal agency confiscated firearms and pornographic materials. Forensic exams were performed on all cockfighting roosters. Combs and wattles were cut along with one or both spurs. Many birds had wounds to the head and face. There were cuts and lacerations to the breast region, legs, and underlying wings. Many were stitched with cloth thread or had a purple powder substance present over the injuries (Figure 13.3).

Outcome: All birds were confiscated and eventually humanely euthanized. Hens were placed in rescue. Many were tested by the state avian veterinarian for exotic Newcastle disease (END) and avian influenza. While processing the scene, veterinary and law enforcement personnel were forced to evacuate the scene due to the presence of explosives found at the scene. A bomb disposal squad was called and rendered the explosives safe and the investigative process resumed. All suspects found at the scene plead guilty to felony cockfighting.

Figure 13.3 Purple powder commonly used on bird wounds during fighting. Obtained at local feed stores.

CASE 2: Derby (NBS)

History: Local law enforcement received information about a cockfighting derby. All resources were contacted and put into place ready to raid the event. Three weekends went by and all entities were finally mobilized.

Physical Findings: Law enforcement raided the event (derby) in a remote area outside the city. A cockfighting ring was found near the center of the makeshift event encampment. Discarded cock/rooster remains were in a large pile outside this ring. Many of the birds had deep cuts and appeared to have died of exsanguination; many had broken necks. After the raid, and when suspects had been placed in custody, individual birds were examined. There were puncture wounds to the heads and eyes. The birds had gaffs and knives attached to their legs. Many of the bids had cuts to their ventral chests and wings, and air sac punctures were present from sharp force injuries.

Outcome: There were over 80 arrests made for felony cockfighting and presence at a cockfight. Additional activities were discovered, and criminal charges were pursued for drug possession and distribution, illegal gambling, illegal sales of alcohol, illegal possession of firearms, and others.