FIGHT Act Expands Federal Crackdown on Animal Fighting: Introduces $5,000 Citizen Fines and Property Seizure

The Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-risk Trafficking Act of 2025—or the FIGHT Act—is a major federal push to strengthen the laws against animal fighting. It takes the existing Animal Welfare Act and plugs some serious holes, especially around enforcement, transport, and gambling.

This bill does three big things right out of the gate: it clearly defines what a “rooster” is for legal purposes (a male chicken over six months old), it creates new federal crimes around animal fighting, and it gives everyday people the power to sue violators in federal court. If you’re caught sponsoring a fight, exhibiting an animal, or even causing a minor under 16 to attend, you’re now facing specific federal prohibitions. Crucially, the bill also makes it illegal to gamble on these events or use interstate commerce, like the U.S. mail, to transport roosters for fighting purposes.

The New Rules of Engagement: Commerce and Property

For anyone involved in transporting goods or advertising, the bill tightens the screws on using federal infrastructure for illegal activities. By specifically banning the use of the Postal Service or any other interstate method to move a rooster for fighting, they are closing a loophole that allowed organizers to move animals across state lines. Similarly, updating the language around advertising ensures that promotional speech for these ventures is now explicitly covered under federal law. This means less wiggle room for those coordinating events across state borders.

But the biggest stick in this bill is the property seizure provision. If someone is found guilty of sponsoring or exhibiting animals in a fight, the government can seize any real property—land or buildings—that was used, even partially, to commit or help commit that violation. Think of a property owner who rents out a barn for what they claim is a 'farm event,' but it turns out to be a fighting venue. If the owner is involved in the violation, they stand to lose the entire property. This is a severe economic penalty aimed squarely at the organizers who profit from these operations.

Empowering the Citizen Analyst: Private Lawsuits

Perhaps the most interesting addition is the new citizen suit provision. Essentially, this allows any person to file a civil lawsuit in federal court against someone they believe is violating these animal fighting provisions. This is a huge shift in enforcement, opening the door for animal welfare advocates or even just concerned neighbors to take direct action. If the court agrees there was a violation, the judge can impose a fine of up to $5,000 for each violation.

There are a couple of checks on this power, though. Before you can file a suit, you have to give the Secretary of Agriculture and local law enforcement a 60-day heads-up. This gives the government time to step in and handle the case themselves. If the government is already actively prosecuting a criminal case or has started a civil action against the person for the same violation, you can’t file your citizen suit. This prevents double-dipping and ensures the government gets the first crack at serious offenders. This mechanism provides a powerful new tool to deter illegal activity, making it clear that enforcement isn't just the government's job anymore.