South Haven Michigan man pleads guilty to illegal cockfighting

April 29, 2026 - South Haven, MI

A new incident of illegal cockfighting was recently uncovered in South Haven. According to the Van Buren County Prosecutor’s Office, defendant Jesse Gamino (age 57) pleaded guilty to one count of animal fighting on April 21, 2026 in 36th Circuit Court, Paw Paw. 

Click here to read the full story.

February 2026 - Back-to-Back Victories Against Cockfighting!

This weekend brought two major wins in our fight to Crush Cockfighting, and while they could have been even bigger, these victories are well worth celebrating!

Our team was out in the field at a suspected cockfighting pit in Mexia, TX, where the local sheriff took swift action. Twenty individuals were cited and one arrest was made. Nearly 150 birds were confiscated and are now being safely housed by the county.

The second pit was located in Bexar County Texas, just outside of San Antonio and the sheriff himself oversaw this operation. Seven people arrested. 

Check out this article for videotape and stories about both operations:

Great article here by Payton Felix about the Steer-Tailing issue

DeKalb County administrator issued rodeo permit to man who pleaded guilty to animal abuse: Records

“I permitted an event to an animal abuser. I did,” interim DeKalb County Administrator Derek Hiland said of an Aug. 2 rodeo in Kirkland.

Advocates say Illinois is not enforcing animal welfare law, citing numerous cases at rodeo events

Great story from WQAD News 8