Animal Wellness Action Applauds Mayes County Sheriff’s Office for Shutting Down Cockfighting Pit, Arresting Organizer

Animal Wellness Action investigators sniffed out the fighting pit and documented staged fights, illicit wagering, and bloodletting

Tulsa, Oklahoma — Animal Wellness Action today praised the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office for taking decisive action against an alleged cockfighting operation near Chouteau, Oklahoma, following a tip submitted by the organization.

On July 29, the Sheriff’s Office arrested Robert Carl Muhlhauser, 59, of Chouteau, on charges of Keeping a Place, Equipment or Facilities for Cockfighting, a felony under Oklahoma law, and Commercial Gambling: Receiving Earnings.

Animal Wellness Action said the investigation began after it provided information to the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office regarding suspected cockfighting activity at the property.

“Cockfighting is a felony offense under state and federal law, and we were glad to give the Mayes County Sheriff a head start in shutting down a major cockfighting venue in northeast Oklahoma,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. “We are grateful to the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office for acting swiftly on our information and demonstrating that Oklahoma’s animal fighting laws will be enforced. Every successful investigation and subsequent prosecution drains the life out of criminal networks that profit from organized cockfighting.”

Animal Wellness Action and Showing Animals Respect and Kindness (SHARK) have conducted extensive investigations into Oklahoma’s illegal cockfighting industry and have documented that organized cockfighting remains deeply entrenched in parts of the state despite being a felony offense. The organizations have worked closely with sheriffs, district attorneys, federal agencies, and legislators to expose major breeding operations, illegal trafficking networks, and commercial cockfighting pits.

“Mr. Muhlhauser and the other people who staged illegal fights are lawless individuals,” added Pacelle. “They are violating a range of state and federal laws, and we applaud Sheriff Mike Reed and his investigators for taking meaningful action against that enterprise.”

Cockfighting is frequently associated with illegal gambling, firearms offenses, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, and the interstate and international movement of fighting birds. Fighting roosters are often fitted with razor-sharp knives or steel gaffs before being forced into fights that end in severe injury or death.

Animal protection groups noted that the Mayes County case represents another encouraging example of Oklahoma law enforcement agencies aggressively enforcing the state’s anti-cockfighting laws.

“For far too long, some people viewed cockfighting as a rural tradition that law enforcement would overlook,” said Steve Hindi, president of SHARK. “Those days are ending. Across Oklahoma, sheriffs and prosecutors are making it clear that organized cockfighting is organized crime, and those who participate should expect to be investigated and prosecuted.”

“Nearly every major cockfighting investigation begins with someone willing to speak up,” Pacelle said. “If you know where these operations are occurring, we encourage you to contact your local sheriff’s office or submit information to Animal Wellness Action. Together, we can dismantle these criminal networks.”

Animal Wellness Action urged anyone with information about cockfighting, dogfighting, or illegal trafficking of fighting birds to report it to its tipline at tips@animalwellnessaction.org

Animal Wellness Action and SHARK thanked the Mayes County Sheriff’s Office for its professionalism and commitment to enforcing Oklahoma law and protecting both animals and public safety.