HB342 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

James C. Fields

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Joe FaustJim Barton

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Cockfighting, penalties increased, presence at cockfights, penalties, confiscation procedures, terms defined, reporting procedures, Secs. 13A-12-4.1, 13A-12-4.2 added; Sec. 13A-12-4 am'd.

Summary

HB342 would tighten Alabama's cockfighting laws with new crimes, stricter penalties, registration and seizure rules, and procedures for destroying fighting animals.

What This Bill Does

It makes for a first conviction a Class A misdemeanor for various cockfighting-related acts (selling, training, operating facilities, using devices, wagering, admitting to fights, etc.), with second or subsequent convictions rising to a Class C felony. It also makes being knowingly present as a spectator at preparations or exhibitions a Class A misdemeanor. The bill requires people who regularly keep cocks to register their location with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for disease control, and it establishes confiscation procedures, defines terms, and imposes additional fines and forfeitures. It also creates detailed procedures for seizing, testing, destroying, and returning seized cocks, including reporting requirements and condemnation hearings, with costs and ownership issues tied to the seizure.

Who It Affects

• Cockfighting organizers, trainers, facility owners, financiers, advertisers, and participants would face new penalties (Class A misdemeanor on first conviction; Class C felony on subsequent convictions) and could lose profits and property tied to cockfighting.
• Spectators who knowingly attend or assist at cockfight preparations or exhibitions would face a Class A misdemeanor.
• People who regularly keep cocks would be required to register the location of their birds with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for disease control.
• Law enforcement, state veterinarians, prosecutors, and animal shelters would handle seizures, disease testing, condemnation, and possible destruction of seized fighting cocks, plus related reporting and court procedures.
• Local governments could incur costs related to enforcement and proceedings, but the bill states it is exempt from certain local-expenditure approval rules due to constitutional exceptions.

Key Provisions

• First-conviction penalties for listed cockfighting-related acts are Class A misdemeanors; second or subsequent convictions are Class C felonies.
• A new Class A misdemeanor for knowingly being present at preparations or exhibitions as a spectator.
• Requirement that individuals who regularly keep cocks register the location of the birds with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for disease control.
• Confiscation procedures for fighting cocks, with defined terms and enhanced penalties: $10,000 fine for Class A misdemeanor and $20,000 fine for Class C felony; forfeiture of profits and property used to facilitate cockfighting.
• Seizure and destruction procedures include reporting to the state veterinarian, testing before transport or destruction, condemnation hearings within 30 days, and costs charged to the owner or presumptive owner; the court must determine whether the seized cock was used in cockfighting.
• Definitions added for terms such as cock, cockfighting, and train; existing statute 13A-12-4 amended and new sections 13A-12-4.1 and 13A-12-4.2 added.
• Effective date on the first day of the third month after passage and Governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses