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 Nebraska, cockfighting is illegal and is considered a form of animal fighting under state law. Nebraska Statutes section 28-1005 specifically prohibits any person from knowingly and intentionally causing any animal to fight with another animal for amusement or gain. This includes cockfighting, which involves the fighting of roosters. The law also forbids the training, preparation, and possession of animals for fighting purposes, as well as the possession of any paraphernalia used in training animals to fight. Additionally, attending an animal fighting event is illegal. Violation of these laws can result in felony charges, with penalties that may include imprisonment, fines, or both. The severity of the punishment depends on the specific circumstances of the offense and whether the individual has prior convictions for similar offenses.