SB 2426 / HB 1795
89th Session
Dogfighting and Cockfighting Bill
Strengthens the Texas Penal Code to give rural law enforcement the tools to dismantle organized animal-fighting rings.
A statewide coalition — shelters, vets, volunteers, voters — at the Texas Capitol to write and pass the humane laws Texas animals are owed.
Updated this session
The legislation the coalition is supporting and the campaigns it is running this session.
Protecting Communities from Illegal Enterprises & Rural Strain.
Animal fighting rings serve as "pop-up" headquarters for illegal gambling and drug distribution, funneling untaxed revenue into organized crime syndicates.
The unregulated transport of birds and dogs across state and county lines for "derbies" is a primary vector for Avian Flu (H5N1) and Newcastle Disease, posing a direct threat to the Texas poultry and livestock industries.
Local Sheriffs offices across the state lack the statutory "teeth" to dismantle these rings effectively, leading to a revolving door of low-level offenses while the criminal organizers profit.
Reclassifies organized animal fighting as a predicate offense for racketeering, allowing prosecutors to seize criminal assets and target "kingpin" organizers.
Implements strict penalties for the transport of animals for fighting purposes, protecting the health and economic stability of legitimate Texas agriculture.
This bill enhances community safety as it will only impact illegal businesses that run dogfighting and cockfighting operations, and the spectators that keep them in business.
27 simultaneous search warrants uncovered 200+ victims, narcotics, and stolen firearms — linking these rural events to transnational supply chains.
Protecting Communities from Illegal Enterprises & Rural Strain.
Animal fighting rings serve as "pop-up" headquarters for illegal gambling and drug distribution, funneling untaxed revenue into organized crime syndicates.
The unregulated transport of birds and dogs across state and county lines for "derbies" is a primary vector for Avian Flu (H5N1) and Newcastle Disease, posing a direct threat to the Texas poultry and livestock industries.
Local Sheriffs offices across the state lack the statutory "teeth" to dismantle these rings effectively, leading to a revolving door of low-level offenses while the criminal organizers profit.
Reclassifies organized animal fighting as a predicate offense for racketeering, allowing prosecutors to seize criminal assets and target "kingpin" organizers.
Implements strict penalties for the transport of animals for fighting purposes, protecting the health and economic stability of legitimate Texas agriculture.
This bill enhances community safety as it will only impact illegal businesses that run dogfighting and cockfighting operations, and the spectators that keep them in business.
27 simultaneous search warrants uncovered 200+ victims, narcotics, and stolen firearms — linking these rural events to transnational supply chains.
Protecting Communities from Illegal Enterprises & Rural Strain.
Animal fighting rings serve as "pop-up" headquarters for illegal gambling and drug distribution, funneling untaxed revenue into organized crime syndicates.
The unregulated transport of birds and dogs across state and county lines for "derbies" is a primary vector for Avian Flu (H5N1) and Newcastle Disease, posing a direct threat to the Texas poultry and livestock industries.
Local Sheriffs offices across the state lack the statutory "teeth" to dismantle these rings effectively, leading to a revolving door of low-level offenses while the criminal organizers profit.
Reclassifies organized animal fighting as a predicate offense for racketeering, allowing prosecutors to seize criminal assets and target "kingpin" organizers.
Implements strict penalties for the transport of animals for fighting purposes, protecting the health and economic stability of legitimate Texas agriculture.
This bill enhances community safety as it will only impact illegal businesses that run dogfighting and cockfighting operations, and the spectators that keep them in business.
27 simultaneous search warrants uncovered 200+ victims, narcotics, and stolen firearms — linking these rural events to transnational supply chains.
Every bill the coalition has moved, passed, or kept fighting across prior sessions.
We don’t back every humane bill in Texas. We back the ones where the coalition’s work moves the needle. The criteria:
Bills that apply to one facility or municipality get routed to local partners. We work statewide.
If another Texas org is already carrying a better draft, we testify in support.
Bills without a credible floor path get held for the next legislature.
Every active bill passes a technical review with participating shelters and DVMs before we file.
Legislation is won one email, one testimony, one signature at a time. Join the coalition — we’ll tell you when, where, and how to show up. No spam. No filler.
Join the coalition. Read the bills. Testify at the Capitol. Every action moves the next humane law one step closer to the floor.