9. Ban on cockfighting

Concerns of the #9 story on our countdown of the Top Stories of 2019 began in January-- a then-pending federal ban on cockfighting began.

"I truly believe that raising game fowl is a family event," resident Vince said. "Also, it's cultural. For many of our families, we grow together in raising fowls. There's no legal activity going on whatsoever. Why should I listen to a person back in the mainland who doesn't live here and pay taxes when I pay taxes here and I invest in the locals here and everything else."

Another neighbor, Miget, said, "One of the few ways you can try to protect yourself is through the courts. Suing the federal government may need to be a way that Guam approaches it."

It was in November Guam that resident Sedfrey Linsangan filed a lawsuit petitioning the court to exempt the island from the federal cockfighting ban arguing it violated the constitutional rights of the people of Guam. Magistrate Judge Joaquin Manibusan, however, recommended his request be denied.

The federal ban went into effect on Dec. 20 and although Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero recommended cockfighters to follow it the fact remains Guam law passed by senators this year says local enforcement of the federal cockfighting ban will be the lowest priority for GovGuam.

"We are faced with drug situations here, we're faced with protecting our community, keeping them safe in their homes and it becomes a low priority because really it doesn't do much harm to the community by having cockfighting but if we are faced with 'hey come over here there's domestic violence situation' versus 'hey somebody's having cockfighting here' I mean where would we go with the limited resources that we have," she said,

The stateside based Animal Wellness Action group is offering rewards for tips that lead to federal convictions.