KENTUCKY (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) — Bird flu has been hitting farms across the United States. One doctor says cockfighting could be one of the origins of the disease. “Cockfighting is a cluster crime, it causes animal welfare issues, it causes disease issues,” Dr. Jim Keen said. Infectious disease specialists, veterinarians and animal activists are calling for stricter law enforcement and criminal punishment for cockfighting rings here in Kentucky. “For decades there has been a wink and a nod about illegal cockfighting activities,” President of Animal Wellness Action Wayne Pacelle said. “They’ve been allowed to be tolerated under the so-called assumption that there are other more serious crimes to address.” Pacelle has been in the war against cockfighting for years. He says he’s even faced a defamation lawsuit filed by an alleged cockfighter for trying to expose their operations. “Dozens of others in Kentucky who are knowingly violating federal law, they’re possessing fighting birds by tens, hundreds and in some cases by the thousands,” he said. “They’re shipping the birds to fighting arenas across in Kentucky, throughout the United States and all over the world.” Infectious disease specialists say this poses a major threat to not only animals but humans. “Every time one of these influenza viruses has gotten the ability to jump into humans, it has always resulted in a pandemic.” Dr. Tom Pool said. These experts say the best option to combat bird flu right now and stop it before it gets worse is vaccination. Categories: Featured, Local News, News Tags: bird flu, Cockfighting, public health, Vaccines