Last weekend, 157 roosters were euthanized after Maricopa County deputies uncovered an illegal cockfighting ring in the West Valley.
But animal wellness advocates are concerned that’s just a small glimpse into a nationwide problem.
The U.S. Agriculture Department estimates that there are over 150,000 game fowl farms in the United States, which has between 20 and 25 million birds reared for fighting each year.
Animal Wellness Action President Wayne Pacelle said cracking down on animal fighting can help uncover other illegal activities.
“When we bust cockfights or dog fights, it makes our community safer because animal cruelty is just one of the criminal activities that is being perpetrated at these venues where fighting occurs," Pacelle said.
These cases are often associated with illegal gambling, money laundering, narcotics trafficking and illegal firearms, according to a Maricopa County Sheriff's Office spokesperson.
Animal Wellness Action and more than 1,100 other agencies are lobbying Congress to increase federal regulations of cockfighting and trafficking.
The FIGHT Act is co-sponsored by 165 member of Congress, including Sen. Mark Kelly and Reps. Greg Stanton, Juan Ciscomani, and David Schweikert.
The harsher restrictions in the bill, would ban shipping birds through U.S. mail carriers, outlaw online gambling on cockfights, and strengthen punishments for owners of property used in these cases.
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