Students will learn investigative techniques to identify those involved, recognize evidence types and their significance, and apply effective methods to approach cockfighting cases. Students will also become familiar with terminology, associations, and clubs associated with animal fighting, along with the challenges and ethical considerations of these investigations.

Instructional Objectives:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the historical context of cockfighting and the behavior of animals involved.
• Identify the training practices used and the mechanisms by which matches are won.
• Recognize the categories of individuals involved, clubs, and associations.
• Analyze potential entrapment elements and determine appropriate investigative methods based on available resources.
• Address the common challenges and ethical issues in cockfighting investigations and identify terminology used in these circles.

Topics Covered Include:

• Background of cockfighting and animal behavior
• Illegal gambling and revenue streams in cockfighting
• Cross-crime associations: drugs, weapons, gang involvement
• Multi-agency collaboration for effective investigations
• Identification of paraphernalia, breeding practices, and body modifications like dubbing
• Types of game birds, their characteristics, and evidence interpretation

Continuing Education Credit

Upon successful completion, students will receive a certificate of completion and become eligible to apply for continuing education credits from Colorado State University. Veterinary professionals may apply to receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) from the CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

This class is approved for Colorado Bureau of Animal Protection Agents for CE credit.