SUMNER COUNTY, Kan. (Feb. 14, 2025)— On Tuesday, Humane World for Animals, formerly called the Humane Society of the United States, assisted the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office with the seizure of more than 400 roosters and hens from an alleged cockfighting operation in Sumner County, Kansas. The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City also assisted on-scene.
Law enforcement served a search and seizure warrant on a residential property around 6 a.m. on Feb. 11. More than 400 roosters and hens were found living in small wire or wooden structures with little protection from the below freezing temperatures, some without access to clean drinking water. Some of the roosters and hens were suffering from apparent respiratory illness, with eye and nasal discharge. Two roosters found on the property were covered in dried blood, suffering with open wounds.
Responders with Humane World for Animals assisted with animal handling, scene documentation and provided expertise in identifying paraphernalia. The birds were identified by animal fighting experts as gamefowl, a term used to describe birds raised for the purposes of fighting and selectively bred to be aggressive with other birds. Paraphernalia consistent with the raising and conditioning of birds for the purposes of fighting was found throughout the property. Items identified on the property and commonly associated with such operations included transport boxes, electronic scales and gaffs. Gaffs are sharp blades that are attached to roosters’ legs during fights to inflict severe injuries.
“I am so thankful to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case and for the organizations that came together to remove these animals from a terrible situation,” said Midge Grinstead, Kansas state director, Humane World for Animals. “No animal deserves the painful end that roosters are faced with when they are forced to fight each other to death in a cockfighting pit, and thanks to everyone involved in this seizure, these animals have been spared that fate.”
“We have been working on this case for about two years and have been working closely with Humane World for Animals,” said Sumner County Detective Andrea Wagoner. “We had suspicions of the roosters on the property being used for cockfighting but were unaware of how to prove they were, until we took a training course provided by Humane World for Animals. Their expertise was vital to getting onto the property to remove the animals.”
Cockfighting is a criminal industry in the U.S. that profits from violent cruelty to animals. It involves pitting two animals to fight—often to the death—for the purpose of profit, gambling and purported entertainment. Even birds who aren't outright killed during the fights suffer terribly. Common injuries include punctured lungs, broken bones and pierced eyes, yet the birds are forced to continue to fight.
Cockfighting can also pose a significant risk to the spread of avian disease, including highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1. These criminal enterprises are associated with the spread of avian disease because of gamefowl yards, where hundreds of birds are raised in close proximity and without protection from wild birds. They are often exposed to blood in fights and are transported across the country without oversight.
A group of pro-cockfighting individuals has launched a coordinated effort to reduce or eliminate penalties for cockfighting. The group hosts pro-cockfighting rallies, raises funds and donates to legislators in their attempts to decriminalize cockfighting. These efforts gained traction in Oklahoma in recent years, resulting in a dangerous bill—which would have reduced penalties for cockfighting and dogfighting to a misdemeanor—making it as far as passing the Oklahoma House before stalling.
Due to the likelihood of the birds spreading infectious diseases such as avian flu to humans and to commercial flocks and lack of placement options for roosters, birds rescued from these situations are typically not able to be adopted. The birds found on this property were humanely euthanized by veterinarians on-scene.
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About Humane World for Animals
Together, we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. With millions of supporters and work happening in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animals—formerly called the Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International—addresses the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering. As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Driving toward the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name: a more humane world. humaneworld.org
- Kirsten Peek
