Cockfighting is a blood sport wherein roosters are forced to fight each other. Cockfighting is illegal throughout the United States by both state and federal laws.
Cockfighting roosters have sharp blades or gaffs attached to their legs. The birds are then placed in small enclosures, called pits, so spectators can bet on the outcome of the fights as the roosters slice and tear each other apart in small fight pits.
These fights may last for more than an hour. Losing birds are often left to die slowly in garbage barrels by their vindictive owner/abusers.
Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states, yet these bloody, barbaric events are ongoing across our country. SHARK has already taken the initiative against cockfighting by using our drones to film suspect rooster farms. We are now announcing a new nationwide campaign, that will expose these illegal animal fights like never before, and we'll work hard to have those involved held accountable under the law.
On Saturday, December 17, 2022, an undercover investigator video recorded Michael Smiddy at his illegal cockfight operation. Also in attendance were a man and woman who had no less than five children with them, ranging from toddler to preteen. Other children were also present.
SHARK informed Kentucky State Police Post 11 about the criminal activity. The state police sent officers to the pit, but as is always the case, the criminals at Honest Abe’s were informed that the police were coming, and the criminals had vacated the property before the police arrived.
Regardless, we have the images of the people involved, especially the children and their abusers, and we know Michael Smiddy was there. So the question is - why has this cockfight pit owner not been arrested?
We are awaiting further information from the state police, and we will update this page ASAP.
Upcoming Cockfight at Hawk's Nest on January 7th, 2023
WHEN WILL THE KENTUCKY STATE POLICE (KSP) POST 9 DO THEIR JOB?
PLANNED JANUARY 7 COCKFIGHT WILL TEST THE KSP AGAIN
Hawk’s Nest, a notorious, illegal cockfight pit in Pike County has reopened. The coordinates for Hawk’s Nest are 37.56411, -82.22599. Read More Here.
Hawk’s Nest is run by Charles Dixon, aka “Magoo.” Dixon claims to have the Kentucky State Police, Post 9, in his pocket, and the persistence of his operation fully supports his brag. SHARK has reported Hawk’s Nest to KSP Post 9 for years, and the KSP has failed to stop the illegal cockfighting. Read More About Magoo here.
Magoo
Another illegal cockfight is planned for this coming Saturday, January 7. Charles Dixon has an entire schedule of events planned that will continue through July. Now the question is whether the officers of Kentucky State Police Post 9, which has an inglorious, years-long history of inaction, will finally do their job.
Honest Abes in Pine Knot, McCreary County, KY
303 Low Gap Road, Pine Knot, KY
This massive criminal operation is owned and operated by Darlene Nancy Smiddy, 60 and Michael Dean Smiddy, 62, both from Pine Knot, KY (photos below).
SHARK investigators have filmed this location on multiple occasions over multiple years. And yet the Kentucky State Police (KSP) are impotent in dealing with these criminals operating right under their nose. A large felonious animal fighting venue that has been operating for years in the exact same location and yet the Kentucky State Police and McCreary County Sheriff Randy Waters do absolutely nothing.
Children at Honest Abe's Cockfight, December 2022 (note cockfighting ring on right side in photos), Pine Knot, KY
In December of 2022, SHARK filmed yet another cockfight at this location, which included multiple children documented attending the fights. The Smiddys might want to read the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, which makes it a federal felony to knowingly bring a child under the age of 16 to an animal fight. Each instance is punishable by up to three years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
