Which action is an offense under cockfighting statutes involving a cock fight?

• A. Attends as a spectator at an exhibition of cockfighting
• B. Causes a cock to fight with another cock
• C. Owns or trains a cock
• D. Manufactures, buys, sells, barters, or possesses a gaff, slasher, or other sharp implement designed for attachment to a cock with the intent that the implement be used in cockfighting

Answer: (B)

Causing two cocks to fight is the act that the cockfighting statutes directly condemn—the fight itself. This is the moment the animal cruelty and illegal fighting statute targets: actively bringing about a fight between animals. Owning or training a cock, attending as a spectator, or possessing weapons used in fighting can be illegal in other ways, but they are not the act of causing the fight itself. The direct act of causing a cock to fight with another cock best fits the offense described by the cockfighting statutes.