A cock is the male of any type of domestic fowl, and cockfighting is a blood sport in which two (or more) cocks are placed in a ring or confined area and encouraged to attack or fight each other. Cockfighting is illegal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia—but remains legal in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Although cockfighting is illegal in all states, the potential punishment for the crime varies from state to state. In thirteen states, a first offense charge of cockfighting is a misdemeanor—including Alabama, California, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, and West Virginia. But in California, Louisiana, and New Mexico, second, third, and subsequent offenses may be prosecuted as felonies.

And some states also prohibit possession of cockfighting tools (implements) such as a gaff or slasher; ownership and training of cocks for the purpose of cockfighting; and attending cockfighting events.
Cockfighting laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—and usually in the state’s penal or criminal code.

In North Carolina, cockfighting is illegal and is considered a serious crime. Under North Carolina General Statutes, specifically N.C.G.S. § 14-362, cockfighting is classified as a Class I felony. This means that individuals who engage in, promote, or are connected to the activity of cockfighting can face felony charges, which carry more severe penalties than misdemeanors. The law in North Carolina not only prohibits the actual fighting of roosters but also outlaws the possession of cockfighting paraphernalia, the training of cocks for fighting, and being a spectator at a cockfight. The penalties for these offenses can include fines, imprisonment, or both, and the severity of the punishment reflects the state's commitment to preventing animal cruelty and deterring participation in cockfighting activities.