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 New Hampshire, cockfighting is illegal and considered to be animal cruelty. Under New Hampshire state law, specifically RSA 644:8, cockfighting is classified as a form of animal fighting and is prohibited. The law not only bans the actual act of cockfighting but also outlaws the possession, training, and transport of roosters for fighting purposes, as well as the possession of cockfighting paraphernalia. Additionally, being a spectator at a cockfighting event is also illegal. Penalties for engaging in or being associated with cockfighting activities can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the offense and whether it is a first or subsequent violation. The state takes these offenses seriously, and those found guilty may face significant legal consequences.