News
Finally – Cockfighting Will Soon be Illegal in all 50 States
July 06, 2007, 12:0AM MT
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Legislative actions end cockfighting in Louisiana
Legislative actions end cockfighting in Louisiana
by Barbara J. Koll, Best Friends Network
After years of debate, the Louisiana legislature recently passed two important bills that will ultimately end legal cockfighting in the state. Louisiana is the last state in the country where cockfighting is still legal. New Mexico passed a law banning this “blood sport” earlier this year. Much of the debate in the Louisiana legislature this year dealt with whether to ban cockfighting immediately or to allow a one-year delay to give those in the business an opportunity to sell their animals and equipment. The only remaining hurdle is for the Governor to sign the bills. Both Bills have been sent to Governor Blanco for signature.
Senate Bill 221 bans any type of gambling at cockfights and will become effective this summer. House Bill 108 bans cockfighting completely but will not become effective until August 15, 2008. Penalties for illegal cockfighting will include up to $2000 in fines and up to 3 years in prison. Penalties for gambling associated with cockfighting will include up to $1000 in fines and up to one year in prison. Owners and operators of cockfighting enterprises and those leasing property for the business of cockfighting or those managing or supervising cockfighting with knowledge that gambling is occurring face fines up to $20,000 and up to 5 years in prison.
Cockfighting has been a long time rural tradition in the United States where roosters that are specially bred for maximum aggressiveness fight to the death while spectators bet on the outcome. Proponents of the sport in Louisiana argued that it is an integral part of rural Louisiana culture.
Legal cockfighting has allowed roosters to become killing machines bred for their entertainment and moneymaking value. Prior to a cockfight, the bird’s feathers are plucked and the wattles (the combs beneath the beak) are cut back so the opponent cannot tear them off during the fight. Fighting roosters often wear artificial “spurs” which are razor sharp steel blades that turn their natural spurs into dangerous implements for maximum injury. The “spurs” are designed to puncture and mutilate the opponent. Even though the rules usually do not require that one or both birds die during the fight, the injuries are frequently so severe that they result in death. Common injuries include punctured lungs, broken bones and pierced eyes.
Cockfighting will continue to be popular in many other countries, including France, Mexico, Belgium, Spain and Italy and in Puerto Rico, where cockfighting arenas with seats or bleachers for the spectators are common. However, in August 2008, legal cockfighting in the United States will be a thing of the past.
What you can do:
Write to Governor Kathleen Blanco and encourage her to sign the Bills making them law in the State of Louisiana.
Office of the Governor
ATTN: Constituent Services
P. O. Box 94004
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
Phone – 866-366-1121 or 225-342-0991
Fax – 225-342-7099
Write to the author of House Bill 108 and encourage him to ask the Legislature to make it effective earlier than August 2008.
Representative Harold L. Richie
State Capitol
P. O. Box 44486
Baton Rouge, LA 70804
larep075@legis.state.la.us
Photo credit: Wikimedia