Philippine Embassy warns Filipinos over cockfighting in France
French law allows penalties of up to three years in prison and a €45,000 fine for offences involving animal cruelty linked to cockfighting.
The Philippines.- The Philippine Embassy in Paris has cautioned members of the Filipino community against organising cockfights in France. The embassy said French authorities had alerted it to reports of cockfighting and related illegal gambling involving Filipinos, alongside reports of public disorder and littering connected to the events.
It urged Filipinos living and working in France to comply with local laws, noting that cockfighting can be treated as animal cruelty under the French Penal Code. Those found guilty can face up to three years in prison and a €45,000 fine (US$51,337), according to the embassy’s advisory.
While French law generally prohibits animal fighting, it provides a limited exception for cockfighting in areas where an uninterrupted local tradition can be established. The law also prohibits the creation of new cockfighting venues.
In the Philippines, cockfighting, known as sabong, is permitted under specific conditions, including at licensed cockpits. However, online versions of the activity were suspended by the government in 2022. The embassy urged Filipinos in France to respect local regulations and avoid activities that could result in legal action or affect the wider community.
