P.R. Laws tit. 15, § 301e
Cockfights held outside of a cockpit duly authorized under this chapter are hereby prohibited; and any person who holds cockfights outside of these cockpits or who takes part thereof as a fighting cock owner, judge, or spectator in the same in contravention with the provisions of this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisonment for a maximum term of six (6) months, or both penalties at the discretion of the court. It is further provided that:
(a) The Sports and Recreation Department shall impose a fine to be established by regulations upon the owners of a farm or property who, knowingly, establish an illegal cockpit or place or facility suitable for holding matches in the judgment of the Cockfighting Affairs Office.
(b) The Sports and Recreation Department shall impose a fine through regulations on the employees, agents or representatives of cockpits deemed illegal, employees or persons in charge of a property or farm in which said illegal cockpit is located, or site or building suitable for cockfights, and who knowingly participate, promote, or help in any way in the holding of said illegal activity.
(c) When the fine imposed by the Department is not paid immediately, the case shall be submitted to a prosecutor of the Court of First Instance to initiate the process against the person or persons thus guilty of any violation of the provisions of this chapter, and upon conviction, the court may impose on them a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) and/or imprisonment for up to six (6) months for each violation; Provided, That those sites in which it is detected that a bare-spur match is being held, that is, one without boots, which are cloths or gloves wrapped around the cocks’ spurs to prevent them from injuring each other during workouts and training sessions, shall be deemed to be illegal cockpits.
History —July 31, 2007, No. 98, § 8, eff. 90 days after July 31, 2007.