Georgia committee advances bill to criminalize cockfighting after witnesses cite linked crime

Senator Robertson, sponsor of Senate Bill 102, told the House Judiciary Committee that the measure would ban cockfighting and bring Georgia into line with federal law and nearly every other state. "In The United States Of America today ... the fighting of roosters, was made a violation of federal law," he said as he introduced the bill.

The committee heard roughly two hours of testimony from prosecutors, federal agents, and law-enforcement officials who said cockfighting events had become sites for broader criminal activity. Jessica Rock, the statewide animal crimes resource prosecutor, told the panel the bill is narrowly targeted and contains an explicit exemption for birds kept for legitimate shows and competitions. "It is not about prosecuting people who are simply possessing or simply breeding or simply showing Gamecocks or roosters," Rock said.

Doug Bridges, a special agent with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, described federal investigations that uncovered large, organized cockfighting operations. He cited a 2020 raid on a barn that reportedly held more than 200 attendees, stadium seating and active cockpit rings. The agent said undercover investigators purchased membership cards to gain entry and that cockfighting events often drew participants across state lines.

Local law-enforcement witnesses described the criminal collateral the bill targets. Mike Perkins, a retired police officer, said cockfighting sites are typically associated with gambling, weapons and drug offenses and argued they bring a criminal element into communities.

Supporters framed the measure as a law-enforcement and child-safety tool. Mike Griffin of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board asked legislators to consider the bill because events frequently exposed minors to gambling and other illicit activity.

Opponents did not have substantive testimony recorded in the hearing record on the bill; committee members asked sponsors and witnesses about practical enforcement — for example, how officers would distinguish lawful breeders from organizers — and witnesses replied that the statute is focused on intent and organized events rather than mere ownership.

After witnesses finished, Representative Panich moved the committee to report the bill favorably. The committee voted to advance Senate Bill 102 to the Rules Committee.

What happened next: Senate Bill 102 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee and sent to the Rules Committee for further consideration.