Let's begin here: Raising and breeding roosters for the sole purpose of fighting to the death is — to borrow from the Boy Scouts — neither mentally awake nor morally straight. It is an especially ugly form of cruelty and barbarian entertainment that deserves to be prosecuted.
That said, however, it also needs to be said that — unlike vandalism and lewdness and other forms of anti-social behavior — putting the kibosh on cockfighting will require much more than a set of laws and a little monitoring.
Some 47 states currently have a ban against cockfighting. Those that don't — Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico — permit it because the practice is so deeply ingrained in the culture of its citizens. Several nations, in fact, not only permit cockfighting but celebrate it.
In Mexico, for instance, the word "palenque" not only refers to the glorious Mayan ruins, but also to the ancient tradition of cockfighting. Small stadiums in towns such as San Luis Potosi sponsor cockfighting tournaments. Songs, stories and poems celebrate it. And as citizens of Mexico and other countries immigrate to the United States, they bring the "pastime" with them.
Currently, cockfighting is an issue in Utah because New Mexico allows it and Utah, because of its proximity, is the home for a small cottage industry of rooster raising, training and transporting. Some in Congress want to make it a federal crime to transport roosters over state lines.
Immigrants have added much to the West. Most bring a strong work ethic and a strong sense of family. Unfortunately, sometimes negative customs are part of the package. As the number of immigrants grows, so will interest in blood sports such as cockfighting. Passing laws against it will be important. Often, however, laws simply give the sport an "outlaw" reputation and romanticize its practitioners as renegades.
What's needed is education. In the United States, no cultural tradition based on cruelty can stand. Those who haven't caught that vision need to be taught.
As people from foreign lands stream into America, they will hold to things they know unless shown a better way. Convincing "palenque" patrons in the west that there is a better way to treat animals will not only be the job of law enforcement, but also the job of local churches, clubs, political groups and others charged with setting the tone for social comportment.