S. 1454: Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-risk Trafficking Act of 2025

This bill, titled the Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-risk Trafficking Act of 2025 (or FIGHT Act of 2025), aims to amend the existing Animal Welfare Act to enhance protections for roosters, particularly in the context of animal fighting. The key points of the bill are as follows:

Definition of Rooster

The bill proposes a specific definition for "rooster," establishing that it refers to any male member of the species Gallus Domesticus that is older than six months.

Prohibition of Gambling on Animal Fighting

The legislation seeks to strengthen prohibitions surrounding animal fighting by making it unlawful for any person to:

• Sponsor or exhibit an animal in an animal fighting venture.
• Attend an animal fighting event or facilitate a minor under 16 years from attending.
• Gamble on any animal fighting venture, whether it occurs in-person or is broadcasted.

Transportation of Roosters

The bill also includes specific provisions regarding the use of postal services or other means for transporting roosters, explicitly stating that it is unlawful to transport a rooster for the purpose of animal fighting.

Civil Citizen Suits and Penalties

The legislation allows individuals to initiate civil suits against those they believe are violating these provisions. Key points include:

• Individuals can sue to stop violations, with potential fines up to $5,000 for each violation.
• A 60-day notice must be provided to the Secretary of Agriculture and local law enforcement before filing a suit.
• The Attorney General may intervene in such civil suits, and the court may award legal costs to parties deemed appropriate.

Seizure of Property

If someone is found violating the new regulations, they may face not only fines but also the seizure of any property used in conjunction with the violations.

State Law Conflicts

The bill clarifies that it does not override state or local laws unless there is a direct conflict with the provisions of this Act.

Technical Corrections

The bill also makes several technical corrections to update references within the Animal Welfare Act related to animal fighting ventures.

Summary of Impact

The bill is focused on enhancing the legal framework against animal fighting and the associated gambling. It aims to provide law enforcement with more robust tools to address these issues and increases the ability for citizens to act against suspected violations.

Relevant Companies

• None found