Animal welfare groups Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy have called on horse racing authorities and federal prosecutors to investigate jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz, Jr. following a USA Today report linking them to illegal cockfighting activities in Puerto Rico. The investigation presented social media and video evidence showing the Ortiz brothers attending and participating in cockfighting events, which is a federal felony under the Animal Welfare Act. The groups argue that such involvement is incompatible with the responsibilities of licensed jockeys and raises concerns about potential corruption and race-fixing due to illegal gambling ties.

The groups urge the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) to adopt strict policies suspending jockeys and trainers implicated in animal cruelty crimes and to ban participation in animal fighting ventures. They emphasize that maintaining public trust in horse racing requires a firm commitment to animal welfare, fair play, and integrity, drawing parallels to the NFL’s response to Michael Vick’s dogfighting scandal. The call for zero tolerance highlights the seriousness of the allegations and the need for immediate action to uphold ethical standards in the sport.