SB124 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Myron Penn

Democrat

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

SB124 tightens Alabama's rules against cockfighting by creating new crimes, heavier penalties, and detailed enforcement and seizure procedures.

What This Bill Does

It makes many cockfighting-related actions a Class A misdemeanor on first conviction, with second or later convictions becoming a Class C felony. It also makes knowingly being present at cockfight preparations or exhibitions as a spectator a Class A misdemeanor. The bill requires people who regularly keep cocks to register their cocks' locations with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for disease control, and it establishes confiscation, forfeiture, reporting, and destruction procedures for fighting cocks and related profits or property. It also sets fines ($10,000 for a Class A misdemeanor, $20,000 for a Class C felony) and outlines how seizures and condemnations would be handled, including who bears costs and how owners can recover or lose their animals.

Who It Affects

• Group 1: People and entities involved in cockfighting activities (sellers/trainers, owners/operators of cockfighting facilities, advertisers/promoters, those who wager on fights, people who admit others to cockfights, and anyone who knowingly participates in violating cockfighting laws) would face new Class A misdemeanor penalties on first conviction and Class C felony penalties on subsequent convictions.
• Group 2: Regular cock keepers and the general public (including spectators) would be subject to new registration requirements for cock locations and potential penalties for being present at cockfighting preparations or exhibitions as spectators.

Key Provisions

• First-conviction Class A misdemeanor for selling/training a cock for fighting, causing cocks to fight, owning/managing/financing/promoting cockfighting facilities, using devices to enhance fighting, wagering on fights, admitting people for cockfights, or permitting a minor to participate.
• Second or subsequent conviction for the above acts is a Class C felony.
• Knowingly being present at preparations for a cockfight or at a cockfight exhibition as a spectator is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Persons who regularly keep cocks must register the location of the cocks with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for disease control.
• Confiscation procedures for fighting cocks, with defined terms and seizure rules.
• Increased fines: $10,000 for Class A misdemeanor conviction and $20,000 for Class C felony conviction.
• Forfeiture of profits and property derived from cockfighting or used to promote it.
• Reporting, condemnation, and destruction procedures for seized cocks, including timelines and who may destroy or care for seized animals.
• Costs for housing, care, or upkeep of seized cock(s) charged to the owner; presumptive ownership rules if no owner is identifiable.
• If the owner is acquitted, return of the cock unless already destroyed or used in cockfighting; condemnation proceedings and related court processes included.
• Effective date: becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses