Cockfighting and Animal Fighting Defense in Miami

If you were arrested at a raid, if police seized your birds, or if an officer left a card at your door, you need a defense lawyer now, before you talk to anyone about what happened.

Dennis Gonzalez Jr. is a former Miami-Dade prosecutor who has been defending people since 2012. Our office answers 24 hours a day.

What Florida Law Prohibits

Florida's Animal Fighting Act, s. 828.122 of the Florida Statutes, covers fights between roosters or other birds, and between dogs, bears, or other animals. It makes it a third-degree felony to knowingly do any of the following:

• Bait, breed, train, transport, sell, own, possess, or use any animal for the purpose of animal fighting or baiting.
• Own, possess, or sell equipment for use in those activities.
• Own, lease, manage, operate, or control property kept or used for fighting or baiting.
• Promote, stage, advertise, or charge admission to a fight.
• Help a fight happen, including providing security, refereeing, handling or transporting animals, or holding the money that was bet.
• Remove an impounded animal without the court's permission.
• Bet or wager money or anything of value on a fight.
• Attend a fight.

Since October 1, 2026, an adult who gets a minor involved in a fight, or commits any of these acts in front of a minor, commits a separate third-degree felony.

Important: the statute says that possessing the animal alone is not a violation. Owning roosters is not a crime by itself. The State has to prove the purpose was fighting, and that you acted knowingly.

What Is at Stake

• A felony record. A third-degree felony in Florida can carry up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 under the state's general penalty statutes. Those are the general maximums, not what every case gets.
• Your animals. When a court finds probable cause, it must order the animals and equipment seized. Police can also take animals as evidence at the time of arrest.
• A ban on owning animals. After a conviction, the judge can order you not to own, keep, or have custody of animals of the same species, or any animals kept for fighting, for a period the judge decides.
• Immigration and job consequences. For anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, or who holds a professional license, a felony charge needs careful handling from day one.

How We Defend These Cases

1. Was it really a fight? The law has exceptions, including recognized animal husbandry and training practices not otherwise prohibited, using animals to work livestock, and lawful hunting. We look at what the State can actually show.
2. What did you know? Every act listed in the statute requires that you acted knowingly. Being near a property, or owning birds, is not the same as knowingly taking part in a fight.
3. Was the raid legal? Many of these cases begin with a search of a home, a farm, or a property. If police entered without a valid warrant or a valid exception, the evidence may be challenged. See Motions to Suppress.
4. What does the evidence really show about you? In mass arrests, police reports often lump everyone together. We separate your conduct from everyone else's.
5. Protect your animals and your property. We address the seizure and any hearing about the animals as part of the defense.

What to Do Right Now

1. Do not explain anything to police. Say you want a lawyer and stop talking.
2. Do not post about it or text other people who were there.
3. Write down who was there, what you saw, and what officers did and said, as soon as you can.
4. Keep any paperwork police gave you, including any inventory of seized animals or property.
5. If someone is still in jail, see Bond & Nebbia Hearings. If there is a warrant, see Self-Surrender.
6. Call us. Our office answers 24 hours a day.

Why Choose Dennis Gonzalez Law, P.A.

• Former Miami-Dade prosecutor.
• Defending people since 2012.
• Super Lawyers recognition and an Avvo Rating of 10.0.
• Bilingual office — se habla español.
• We answer 24 hours a day. Call (305) 209-0384.

You can read about some of our past cases on our Results page.

Frequently Asked Questions

I was only watching. Can I really be charged with a felony?

Under the current statute, attending the fighting or baiting of animals is one of the listed acts, and it is a third-degree felony. The State still has to prove you knowingly attended a fight.

I raise roosters. Is that illegal?

Not by itself. The statute says possessing the animal alone is not a violation. The question is whether the animals were kept or used for fighting.

Will I get my birds back?

It depends on the case. When a court finds probable cause, it must order the seizure of animals and equipment used in the violation. We address this early.

Is betting on a fight a separate crime?

Betting or wagering on a fight is one of the acts listed in the Animal Fighting Act, and it is a third-degree felony.

How fast can you help?

Our office answers 24 hours a day. Call (305) 209-0384.